National Express coaches hook up to Wi-Fi

If only there was enough space to use a laptop

National Express is conducting trials of a system that allows coach travellers to get wireless internet connections while on the move.

The first coaches to use the system run from London to Cambridge on the 010 route, which stops at Canary Wharf.

The coaches have a dual 802.11b/g Wi-Fi and 3G base station installed, and services are free to travellers.

"It is not just the business community which will benefit. Mobile communication is increasingly seen as a pre-requisite by a wide variety of travellers on the move," said Gerry Price, head of engineering at National Express.

"This trial demonstrates that National Express is at the forefront of assessing mobile technology systems for public transport, and we hope that it will become an important part of what we offer customers."

Although the service is currently free, the company is not ruling out charging in the future and has installed a billing and authentication system to handle future transactions.

"National Express is the first UK public transport operator to recognise the potential benefits of the completely portable Wi-Fi system we have developed," said Jim Baker, founder of Telabria, which manufactures the base stations.

"The fact that National Express customers, thanks to this technology, will have access to a fast internet connection throughout their journey is a significant step forward."