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-   -   Internet Access in Subways/Metros Around the World (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/travel-technology/1276372-internet-access-subways-metros-around-world.html)

jspira Nov 4, 2011 2:02 pm
Internet Access in Subways/Metros Around the World
 
A study conducted by the New Cities Foundation, a Swiss non-profit institution, showed that 60% of subway or metro systems worldwide offer Internet access.

Availability doesnīt really equate to usage so a colleague and I launched an informal poll to see how many people actually know about and/or use Internet or data services when in a subway/metro/underground.

If you have a moment to take the one-question poll, it would be appreciated - itīs online here.

Zola Nov 10, 2011 5:19 pm
Do you have a list of cities that provide Internet on their metros? I can't say I've ever known this to exist in any city I've visited that had a metro, but I don't generally attempt to get online while on the metro.

PS: All these years, I had no idea "Internet" was capitalized...until reading your post tonight! Thanks.

gfunkdave Nov 10, 2011 6:08 pm
A handful of carriers have service in Chicago's subway: AT&T, Verizon, T-mobile, and US Cellular.

Some downtown subway platforms in NYC have service (but no tunnels).

jspira Nov 10, 2011 6:13 pm
Originally Posted by Zola (Post 17428771)
Do you have a list of cities that provide Internet on their metros? I can't say I've ever known this to exist in any city I've visited that had a metro, but I don't generally attempt to get online while on the metro.
.
I've been looking for a good list (or any list) for a while but haven't come across anything.

Originally Posted by Zola (Post 17428771)
PS: All these years, I had no idea "Internet" was capitalized...until reading your post tonight! Thanks.
Although in the past few years, some publications (including the Economist) have decided to lower-case the initial "I". E-mail used to be initial-capped as well but is now either "email" or "e-mail" in most publications.

Sierra Kilo Nov 11, 2011 8:10 pm
I've not seen a good list either, though that would be helpful. IME, Berlin and Singapore have had the most reliable cellular voice and data service on the Metro systems.

nerd Nov 11, 2011 9:40 pm
Originally Posted by Zola (Post 17428771)
PS: All these years, I had no idea "Internet" was capitalized...until reading your post tonight! Thanks.
Don't believe everything you read on internet bulletin boards. :)

msb0b Nov 11, 2011 10:02 pm
Hong Kong itself is blanked by mobile towers to almost 100% coverage, including in all of the cross harbor tunnels for both trains and road vehicles. Additionally, most if not all MTR stations have WiFi service provided by PCCW.

Zola Nov 14, 2011 2:42 pm
Interesting; I was just in HK and Singapore and didn't realize they were connected underground. This is most likely because I had my phone on airplane mode so as not to incur roaming charges :D I'd like to see a list just out of curiosity, but for people who are travelling for business, this could be very useful indeed.

Originally Posted by nerd (Post 17435538)
Don't believe everything you read on internet bulletin boards. :)
Haha! Don't worry, I don't. That's why I checked my MacBook's dictionary first. Confirmation from one source is apparently good enough for me!

jackal Nov 18, 2011 4:14 pm
Originally Posted by Zola (Post 17449369)
Interesting; I was just in HK and Singapore and didn't realize they were connected underground. This is most likely because I had my phone on airplane mode so as not to incur roaming charges :D I'd like to see a list just out of curiosity, but for people who are travelling for business, this could be very useful indeed.
When I was there in 2008, Singapore's MTR had EDGE underground but not 3G.

Originally Posted by Zola (Post 17449369)
Haha! Don't worry, I don't. That's why I checked my MacBook's dictionary first. Confirmation from one source is apparently good enough for me!
When I was in journalism school, I was taught to write Internet, e-mail, and (the one I still think looks odd) Web site or Web page.

As mentioned above, some publications (especially in the tech arena) are now moving to internet, email, and website, following most colloquial usage patterns.

I still capitalize Internet, though.

House Nov 18, 2011 9:30 pm
Originally Posted by jackal (Post 17477396)
When I was there in 2008, Singapore's MTR had EDGE underground but not 3G.
Singapore now has 3G throughout the MTR system, on both of the largest networks (SingTel and Starhub). Works surprisingly well, even on board packed rush hour trains! It's also well used (look around at all of the people with iPads and cellphones, viewing websites).

theworld Nov 18, 2011 10:42 pm
Originally Posted by Zola (Post 17449369)
Interesting; I was just in HK and Singapore and didn't realize they were connected underground. This is most likely because I had my phone on airplane mode so as not to incur roaming charges :D I'd like to see a list just out of curiosity, but for people who are travelling for business, this could be very useful indeed.



Haha! Don't worry, I don't. That's why I checked my MacBook's dictionary first. Confirmation from one source is apparently good enough for me!
Yep, HK has 3G coverage on the MTR system. There are a few blackspots, but works generally well. All networks are covered, but we do pay an HK$12 a month surcharge for this (compulsory surcharge on mobile monthly bills, doesn't apply to prepaid services).

Also some buses and ferries now have free wifi. The airport express train has wifi, provided by PCCW (just like the mtr stations).

TWA884 Nov 19, 2011 5:38 pm
A colleague who just returned from Seoul reports that all subway stations and most trains are equipped with WiFi hot spots.

slackinormackin Nov 22, 2011 3:29 pm
Yea, service is spotty at best in the DC metro system. I can actually make a call easier than getting a solid data connection. It's bizarre.

BalbC Nov 23, 2011 11:12 pm
A lot of the subway lines in Tokyo have connections, including the deep level Oedo line. Some of the older lines only have connections at stations/platforms.


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