In early 2009, all high-speed train cars in Japan will offer wireless Internet service. Passengers traveling on Japan’s famous Shinkansen high-speed trains will soon be able to surf the Internet while speeding along at 300 km/h.
Central Japan Railway (JR Tokai), which operates the Shinkansen service connecting Tokyo and Osaka, announced that starting in early 2009, the company plans to provide wireless Internet service on all of its new N700-series high-speed train cars. JR Tokai has not yet decided whether there will be a fee for using the service.
The upgrade of the communication system to digital signals will facilitate Internet access for trains through leaky coaxial cables running along the railway tracks and base stations of a wireless LAN installed in each train car. The current information system uses analog signals, providing only basic communication and a single radio channel (which will be broadcast on the train).
This upgrade will equip high-speed trains with an internal mobile phone system, allowing train drivers and onboard security personnel to communicate with each other. They will also be able to conduct three-way calls with others, such as railway officials or station controllers in the event of an incident or emergency.
