Wifi on First Great Western

[infobleep]

I was attempting to use the free WiFi on First Great Western today between Guildford and Gatwick Airport.

However despite being able to connect to the WiFi using my Macbook Air laptop and Google Nexus mobile, I couldn't bring up the login screen.

If I knew the direct login Web address I'd try typing it into the browser but both devices bring up such screens in a separate window and don't from memory give you the web address.

This has happened once before recently, although another time it did work. Am I just unlucky or is it hit and miss as to whether you get a login screen on First Great Western?

I also get a login screen with South West Trains but then it's hit or miss whether you can actually log in!

As a side note the delayed 9.13 does have catering now. I brought my own though.

 

[LexyBoy]

Happens to me fairly often - either it just gets nowhere or times out trying to connect to firstgreatwesternwifi.com. Occasionally goes to the login screen but "fails to connect to database". Going direct to the login URL won't help as it's a problem with accessing the internet, rather than the router blocking your requests until logging in (BTW I am not a techie if it's not obvious!).

I have noticed that I seem to have better luck if I open something in a browser first rather than using an app, not sure if that's real though.

Don't know if it's a problem with the server/router in the train, or just too many people using it. From my experience it doesn't seem to correlate with how busy the train is though.

Still, can't complain as it's free unlike certain TOCs...

 

[DarloRich]

seemed terribly unreliable during my travels last week but it was free so an improvement on most TOCS

 

[PHILIPE]

I was attempting to use the free WiFi on First Great Western today between Guildford and Gatwick Airport.

However despite being able to connect to the WiFi using my Macbook Air laptop and Google Nexus mobile, I couldn't bring up the login screen.

If I knew the direct login Web address I'd try typing it into the browser but both devices bring up such screens in a separate window and don't from memory give you the web address.

This has happened once before recently, although another time it did work. Am I just unlucky or is it hit and miss as to whether you get a login screen on First Great Western?

I also get a login screen with South West Trains but then it's hit or miss whether you can actually log in!

As a side note the delayed 9.13 does have catering now. I brought my own though.

You should have a look at FGWs twitter to see the number of passengers complaining about lack of working WiFi.

 

[infobleep]

Happens to me fairly often - either it just gets nowhere or times out trying to connect to firstgreatwesternwifi.com. Occasionally goes to the login screen but "fails to connect to database". Going direct to the login URL won't help as it's a problem with accessing the internet, rather than the router blocking your requests until logging in (BTW I am not a techie if it's not obvious!).

I have noticed that I seem to have better luck if I open something in a browser first rather than using an app, not sure if that's real though.

Don't know if it's a problem with the server/router in the train, or just too many people using it. From my experience it doesn't seem to correlate with how busy the train is though.

Still, can't complain as it's free unlike certain TOCs...

Funny enough my experience of unreliability of South West Trains doesn't correlate with the number of passengers on board. Quite trains have had login in problems and busy trains haven't. Yesterday I was able to hold a phone call over wifi using South West Trains. Mostly I can't.

At least theres a login screen so you can contact Nomad who run the service. Unfortunately I'm with O2, so mobile phone reception is patchy. Meaning if I can ring Nomad, I'll probably get cut off during the call.

As train operators. From Guildford I don't think Southern provide WiF yeti. South West Trains do but I'd say over half the passengers currently don't get access to it as they travel on trains without wifi. That is changing though, although it will mean an increase the numbers not being able to connect.

First Great Western provide it for free and again it has issues as mentioned.

That just leaves Cross Country. They are not free but given they only operate one service day in either direction, I don't know what their offering is like. Given they charge I'd expect it to be far better.
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You should have a look at FGWs twitter to see the number of passengers complaining about lack of working WiFi.

I'll do that I'm sure it will be a laugh. Twitter users aren't always known for holding back and politeness.

 

[jimm]

I was attempting to use the free WiFi on First Great Western today between Guildford and Gatwick Airport.

However despite being able to connect to the WiFi using my Macbook Air laptop and Google Nexus mobile, I couldn't bring up the login screen.

If I knew the direct login Web address I'd try typing it into the browser but both devices bring up such screens in a separate window and don't from memory give you the web address.

This has happened once before recently, although another time it did work. Am I just unlucky or is it hit and miss as to whether you get a login screen on First Great Western?

I also get a login screen with South West Trains but then it's hit or miss whether you can actually log in!

As a side note the delayed 9.13 does have catering now. I brought my own though.

Unless something has changed, they are still in the middle of fitting wifi to the Turbo fleet. I think they are supposed to be done by the end of the year. There were certainly some teething problems with the 180s and the HSTs when they were first equipped.

There is a wifi connectivity map on the FGW website here, https://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/your-journey/on-board/free-wifi which still shows the Reading-Gatwick route without coverage. And even on the routes that do, it can certainly be erratic but so is trying to get a mobile phone signal in much of the Cotswolds.

 

[fairysdad]

. . . This has happened once before recently, although another time it did work. Am I just unlucky or is it hit and miss as to whether you get a login screen on First Great Western?

I also get a login screen with South West Trains but then it's hit or miss whether you can actually log in!. . .

I can't say I've ever managed to log into the WiFi on FGW (their West Country HSTs from Paddington). I thought I had once, but it turns out that I was connected to the station WiFi at Taunton... (had an extended stop there for some reason)

Conversely, I've never had a problem with South West Trains' WiFi (444s from Bournemouth to Waterloo) - and that's with logging in twice on the same physical computer (but using VirtualBox as doing some development stuff. The problem with that was my default setup for that meant I couldn't communicate between the two 'computers' as usual because of restrictions!).

 

[infobleep]

I can't say I've ever managed to log into the WiFi on FGW (their West Country HSTs from Paddington). I thought I had once, but it turns out that I was connected to the station WiFi at Taunton... (had an extended stop there for some reason)

Conversely, I've never had a problem with South West Trains' WiFi (444s from Bournemouth to Waterloo) - and that's with logging in twice on the same physical computer (but using VirtualBox as doing some development stuff. The problem with that was my default setup for that meant I couldn't communicate between the two 'computers' as usual because of restrictions!).

Didn't realise some stations outside of London had WiFi. I can think of a few stations in London where WiFi would be useful, E. G. Clapham Junction.

Unless something has changed, they are still in the middle of fitting wifi to the Turbo fleet. I think they are supposed to be done by the end of the year. There were certainly some teething problems with the 180s and the HSTs when they were first equipped.

There is a wifi connectivity map on the FGW website here, https://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/your-journey/on-board/free-wifi which still shows the Reading-Gatwick route without coverage. And even on the routes that do, it can certainly be erratic but so is trying to get a mobile phone signal in much of the Cotswolds.

Intrestingly because I have got wifi connectivity on First Great Western between Guildford and Gatwick Airport. So could the map be out of date or is it simply that only a few turbos on the North Downs Line have WiFi and I've just been lucky to have been on them.

Interestingly it doesn't work sometimes and other times it does. Bit like my mobile reception in Surbiton on O2 where is sometimes works and other times doesn't. So perhaps it's a mobile mast issue along the lines between Portsmouth and Waterloo, via Guildford and North Downs Line.

 

[LexyBoy]

I find the connectivity to be the same on Turbos and HSTs. Sometimes Turbos haven't been fitted, so no network to connect to, but if you get a WiFi signal it's equally likely to fail to connect on either.

Intestine because I have got wifi connectivity on First Great Western between Guildford and Gatwick Airport.

It's hard to stomach that it has taken colon to introduce, I agree.

 

[infobleep]

I find the connectivity to be the same on Turbos and HSTs. Sometimes Turbos haven't been fitted, so no network to connect to, but if you get a WiFi signal it's equally likely to fail to connect on either.



It's hard to stomach that it has taken colon to introduce, I agree.

Dam it. I thought I'd corrected that. Perhaps I didn't hit the right correction button. I'll sort it.

As for colons or lack of in my case. Best not go there. I don't think people would stomach all the details and I have some details!

 

[Carlisle]

There were certainly some teething problems with the 180s and the HSTs when they were first equipped.
.

I've found the 180s to be reliable, all other FGW stock is rather hit and miss though

 

[misterredmist]

Intestines & Colons asside, is it just the UK railways where "wi-fi" is a joke or is it just as bad on Eurostar and on the Continent ?

I thought this was all supposed to be up and running, uninterrupted signal etc. by now.......

 

[jon0844]

Wi-Fi can be ropey anywhere. The equipment used, whether it supports 5GHz and how access points hand off from one to another all play a part.

Ideally, use your mobile connection if you can first and foremost (depending on tariff and if the phone gets a good signal on that train type).

On a FGW HST I've found Three (and therefore also EE) to be pretty decent from Paddington to Wales.

 

[infobleep]

Well my Android Lollipop settings for WiFi tonight said due to no Internet it won't connect automatically.

I guess at least it didn't connect to it. I had to go I to my settings to find out that reason though. I then forced it to connect and as a result simply just lost access to the H mobile coverage (there being no 4G on O2 at Redhill station tonight, if ever).

 

[lazydragon]

I used the wi-fi on a FGW HST from Paddington to Swansea on Friday night, and while it was slow, or sometimes I needed to reload something, I don't think it is too bad. It is free, and it is on a train that is hurtling at high speed, so having any kind of wi-fi connection is pretty good in my eyes.

It's not going to allow you to stream a film, but for facebook and emails it did alright for me.

 

[richw]

I was talking with a train manager who described it as a useless gimmick.

He was telling me it relies on mobile signal, however powers that be who don't travel the lines are oblivious to the mobile black spots pretty much the entire distance from Reading to Cornwall. He said it briefly works around Taunton, Exeter and Plymouth.

 

[CallySleeper]

I travel FGW HST quite often, and learnt not to usually bother with the wifi. Pretty terrible, and not worth the hassle of trying to connect.

 

[jon0844]

Doesn't it use both mobile and satellite? And as long as it isn't using O2, I'd have expected pretty good coverage.

It will get better soon too, as 4G getting the ability to carry voice will mean the power can get ramped up (subject to you having a compatible phone). This will make a big difference and 4G works so much better than 3G with low signal.

 

[TEW]

Found the WiFi usable on Turbos last week. Working Guildford-Reading and Reading-Hereford for general internet browsing on my phone. More reliable than my phone signal on the Cotswold Line for sure.

 

[W-on-Sea]

I've used wifi on the 180s between Paddington and Didcot quite a few times - pretty good, certainly superior and more reliable than that fitted to the Stagecoach Gold bus fleet around Oxford (and on a par, almost, with that on the buses, Stagecoach and Oxford Bus Co, in Oxford itself)

 

[HH]

WiFi on trains. LOL. It's the same as WiFi on buses. They're also reliant on mobile connectivity, you're having to share with others and OFC routers are temperamental creatures at the best of times, and trains have several of them, working under less than ideal conditions.

Those tasked with fitting them know that they won't work very well, but DfT love 'em, Passenger Focus love 'em, etc. etc. so they are fitted despite that.

This will change if/when NR enable trackside connection using their fibre-optic replacement for all the copper cable that's been stolen.

Meanwhile if you need data connection then 4G with EE is a much better option.

 

[CapitalStar378]

I find on Cdf-Pad trains that login is fine and then the wi-fi works for a little while and then nothing for the rest of the journey. I've tweeted FGW a few times and one reply was that the wi-fi struggles to get signal in rural areas! Well that'll be 90% of the journey then :-x

 

[jimm]

Meanwhile if you need data connection then 4G with EE is a much better option.

And which planet is this on? Out in the Cotswolds most of the mobile masts are still using 2G kit, never mind 4G.

FGW isn't making extravagant claims for connectivity - the map at the web page I linked to in post 6 is colour coded showing areas with a good signal and areas with an intermittent one, which perhaps surprisingly include west London.

 

[47271]

I try going on from time to time, and things may improve soon, but regardless of TOC I'm pretty sceptical on how useful train wifi is at the moment. And generally the faster the train travels the worse the connection, even in areas with a very good mobile signal.

I get more joy from using a dongle on my laptop and organising activity demanding continuous connection to areas where I know, or can see, there is 3G or better. Then just use push email on my phone the rest of the time.

 

[infobleep]

And which planet is this on? Out in the Cotswolds most of the mobile masts are still using 2G kit, never mind 4G.

FGW isn't making extravagant claims for connectivity - the map at the web page I linked to in post 6 is colour coded showing areas with a good signal and areas with an intermittent one, which perhaps surprisingly include west London.

However the map is out of date because it shows no Internet between Reading and Gatwick Airport, despite their being Internet some of the time along that route. Intermittent might be a better colour to use on a revised map.

The map is dated 17 July so perhaps the North Downs Line got WiFi after that point.

 

[jimm]

However the map is out of date because it shows no Internet between Reading and Gatwick Airport, despite their being Internet some of the time along that route. Intermittent might be a better colour to use on a revised map.

The map is dated 17 July so perhaps the North Downs Line got WiFi after that point.

The wifi on the North Downs is entirely reliant on a Turbo that is fitted with it being in use. As I also pointed out in post 6, the programme to fit the kit to the Turbo fleet is still under way - and is not due for completion until the end of the year, so to put on that map that wifi is available when it is still a lottery, dependant on stock allocations, would be a bit daft - and likely to attract yet more moans on Twitter and Facebook.

 

[infobleep]

The wifi on the North Downs is entirely reliant on a Turbo that is fitted with it being in use. As I also pointed out in post 6, the programme to fit the kit to the Turbo fleet is still under way - and is not due for completion until the end of the year, so to put on that map that wifi is available when it is still a lottery, dependant on stock allocations, would be a bit daft - and likely to attract yet more moans on Twitter and Facebook.

I take your point. I've just been lucky that every train I've used has had the WiFi fitted. Not that it's worked every time of course.

Perhaps they could have a colour represent partial completion of WiFi on that route or may be that would make it even more confusing.

It would be interesting to know what the official coverage strength is for that line, as per other lines, given some trains have WiFi on them.

 

[headshot119]

Wi-Fi can be ropey anywhere. The equipment used, whether it supports 5GHz and how access points hand off from one to another all play a part.

Ideally, use your mobile connection if you can first and foremost (depending on tariff and if the phone gets a good signal on that train type).

On a FGW HST I've found Three (and therefore also EE) to be pretty decent from Paddington to Wales.

I've watched Netflix uninterrupted streaming via my phone on EE between Cardiff and Paddington, so the coverage can't be that bad.

 

[jon0844]

What I primarily mean is the WiFi connection itself can be ropey, not just the 'onward' mobile connection.

 

[FOH]

I was on an Adelante last year and had the same issue as the OP on a Windows laptop - blank screen. Luckily I'd used the wifi previously and had the URL saved in the history. Went to that and it worked a treat. Suffice to say with a contention of approx 1 I had a great experience!