Random Thought...

Shayper

Shayper

Shayper

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Right, this is probably a stupid idea...

But would it be possible, using similar technology to Homeplug adapters, to have WiFi throughout the London tube network? As in have the base network signal travelling through the 3rd rail, picked up by each tube train and then broadcast throughout the carriages? It would be really useful for businessmen among others throughout their day to day lives.

If I'm forgetting something obvious that would nullify my idea let me know, but I'm wondering why there are no current implementations of this yet :)
 
probably in the pipe line. massive sponsorship opportunity.

considering it's now available on planes, it's certainly achievable.
 
Sheesh, do you really need to be on the internet that often?

I'm all for the greater roll out of silent carriages, where mobiles, mp3 players, laptops, and their like are banned.
 
The Halk said:
Why ban MP3 players or laptops in a silent carriage?
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Because pretty much everyone who listens to an MP3 player on a train, subjects the rest of the people to the awful tinny beats. Laptops, I may permit but the taptapping on most of them is pretty loud.
 
Marky said:
I would imagine it's more about having the money to do it rather than not having the technology.
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I was thinking that it would be a lot cheaper than having repeaters for a wifi signal throughout the track.

Jokester said:
Problem is you're relying on something that will be arcing - not good for RF.
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Ah, do you mean the signal would be cutting out constantly?
 
i would have thought that since there's a hell of a lot of power at quite a high voltage going through the 3rd rail that the signal would be far too noisy for any sort of signal at a reasonable bandwidth to get through sensibly

i'm very happy to be proved wrong there though
 
Stop talking about the third rail - this isn't New York. The Underground has two rails to carry traction current, one positive and one negative.

Oh, and it's about 630 volts.
 
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Snograt said:
Stop talking about the third rail - this isn't New York. The Underground has two rails to carry traction current, one positive and one negative.

Oh, and it's about 630 volts.
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I didn't actually know that :D

With 630 volts there wouldn't be too much noise would there?
 
One thing I don't like about the wifi on the Underground is that it has been paid for by Virgin Media. It's free during the Olympics, then everyone will have to pay to access it, unless they're Virgin Media or Virgin Mobile subscribers.
 
Stop over complicating everything :rolleyes:

Just string loads of belkin N1's together

Or use a really really long Ethernet cable to travel with the train.
 
I'm sure someone mentioned it in another thread, but leaky feeder cable would seem to be ideal for the underground. That's what we use for train radio connectivity, so it's a proven technology down there.
 
As said, the technology should be mostly there. In my last job, we designed a load of kit for the Motorola Connect project which connected the whole tube system with comms. It's just a matter of them enabling it. As far as I know, train, transport police and fire is working already.
 
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Yeah, the Connect radio system is one of the few bits of good kit the Underground has :)

(edit - ninja'd) The biggest threat to the Underground is suicide bombers - and there's pretty much no defence against them.
 
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