The hotspot service will provide train passengers with fast and reliable access to the internet, email and other applications, whether for work or leisure purposes. First Class passengers will get complimentary access to the service, while other passengers can purchase hotspot passes online from their WiFi enabled device.
T-Mobile Mobile Broadband pay monthly customers have unlimited hotspot access included in their plans, so will be able to access the new service at no extra cost. The service will initially be rolled out on Virgin’s 52 Pendolino trains, and by mid Summer, the 21 Super Voyager trains will also be WiFi enabled. Virgin’s West Coast Main Line services see around 22.5 million passenger journeys per annum.
T-Mobile and Nomad Digital have been at the forefront of the provision of access to internet on trains and partnered for the world’s first ever broadband WiFi service on trains on the London to Brighton Southern route. The two companies also partnered to provide onboard WiFi access to passengers on all Heathrow Express trains.
Commenting on the news, Richard Warmsley, head of internet and entertainment for T-Mobile UK, said: “As the popularity of mobile broadband continues to soar, we want to do everything we can to offer people access to the internet wherever they are. This provides a unique solution on-board Virgin Trains , at no extra cost to our pay monthly Mobile Broadband customers, and available to everyone, whatever mobile phone network they use. From business users checking emails or sending documents on the way to and from work, to people checking their Facebook, or downloading songs for the trip, this new mobile broadband service offers all passengers the opportunity to make the most of their journeys.”
Graham Leech, Executive Director Commercial for Virgin Trains added: “We’re always looking at ways to improve the travel experience for our passengers so we’re pleased to be able to answer their requests for access to the internet on our trains. We hope this latest improvement to our services will make travelling all the more enjoyable and productive for all our passengers. T-Mobile and Nomad have a great track record for delivering these types of projects and we’re confident our customers will receive the fast, reliable internet access they require.”