“Sometimes Amtrak’s WiFi doesn’t work, but I brought a little help,” she said.
Amtrak’s free WiFi works well… until it doesn’t. Common complaints include buffering videos, freezing conference calls, failed web searches, and disconnections. However, understanding its limitations and implementing backup technology can significantly improve your online experience.
“If you’re going to fly Amtrak, you should bring a device connected to your phone because it’s likely to be more reliable than on-board WiFi,” Key said.
WiFi on airplanes has improved in recent years, but why is Amtrak’s service so disappointing?
Amtrak introduced free WiFi in 2010 (most airlines still charge a fee). Back then, streaming and online video were in their infancy, and digital nomads were mythical creatures. Acela was the first train to offer this amenity. According to Amtrak, a passenger can now connect to more than 30 short- and long-distance trains across the country. The company plans to upgrade to 5G. The new Acela fleet, scheduled to debut next year, will be the first to employ next-generation wireless technology.
“As it becomes operational, the towers will be upgraded and then the train modems will be upgraded as well,” said Russ Clark, a senior research scientist at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta. “So in general it should be better. The main reason is just more 5G capacity.”
Until then, passengers will have to learn how to navigate relatively slow and sticky 4G while traveling at speeds of up to about 150 miles per hour.
“No matter what your departure and arrival stations are, expect disruption,” said AppleInsider Editor-in-Chief Mike Vertere.
How WiFi works on trains increasing speed
Unlike airplanes, Amtrak uses local cell phone towers along its routes, many of which rely on a hybrid ground tower/satellite system, and charges a fee for the service. As the train speeds by, the router must jump from tower to tower to catch up. Gaps between sites can result in service interruptions. In areas with less developed infrastructure, such as rural areas, passengers may find themselves traveling back in time to a pre-Internet era.
“Even if you connect to WiFi inside a rail car, there may not be a connection between the rail car and the wireless infrastructure because there are no radio towers around the area you are passing through,” Harpreet S. Dhillon says Mr. He is an expert in wireless communications and a professor of electrical and computer engineering at Virginia Tech.
Properly spaced series of towers does not guarantee seamless connectivity. Frequent use may slow down the service. The demands of local residents and workers, as well as travelers in cars, buses, and trains, can create wireless congestion.
“If a rail vehicle is passing through a very congested area, it will be sharing a radio tower with other users,” Dillon says. “So that tower is under a lot of pressure from rail users and the outside world. This can slow down the internet or cause you to lose connectivity.”
Natural and man-made features such as mountains, tunnels, and skyscrapers can also impede connectivity. For example, Amtrak spokeswoman Kimberly Woods said passengers could experience unstable service entering Manhattan from northern New Jersey because of the tunnel.
“Wi-Fi access will remain limited for a long time to come,” she said.
Conversely, Key discovered that Amtrak’s WiFi worked several times, to the point of embarrassment for his cell phone.
“I went through a lot of places where there was no reception and I didn’t have bars on my phone,” she said. “Amtrak’s free WiFi was great back then. Even though I was in the middle of nowhere, I was still able to get work done.”
Don’t stream or video conference
Amtrak is upfront about the limitations of its service. “At this time, our WiFi does not support high-bandwidth actions such as streaming music, streaming video, or downloading large files,” it states online. For a smoother experience, the company recommends downloading large files, such as work presentations or entertainment, before your trip.
“Web browsing is usually possible,” Woods said. “But we know that some customers download content before they travel.”
We also recommend signing on with only one device and familiarizing yourself with the train’s WiFi capabilities. On some trains, only certain vehicles can access it.
The Key had no problems using the WiFi for light tasks like scanning the Internet, email, messaging on Slack and Discord, and listening to audio. The system struggled with more data-intensive media such as YouTube, Netflix, and Zoom. She said that for heavier lifts, riders should take out their cell phones. During her travels, she listened to podcasts and watched YouTube videos on her T-Mobile connected device.
“If you’re near a cell tower that works with your cell phone provider, it may be easier to make a Zoom call from your cell phone,” she says. “But there’s another layer to this. Do you have an unlimited data plan? Be sure to check so you don’t end up with a higher bill.”
If your WiFi connection is unstable or disappears, try activating your phone’s hotspot. However, if there is no tower nearby, the hotspot will not work unless your phone uses another wireless carrier and that tower is within range. However, please note that the connection may become clogged if a large number of passengers use their mobile phones at the same time.
“It’s like Waze saying there’s traffic up ahead and everyone takes this exit,” Clark said. “That will create a new traffic jam at the exit.”
In Tower Desert, you cannot connect any gadgets. When this happens, pick up a book or look out the window.
If the WiFi is spotty, Woods recommends asking staff for help. Conductors cannot erect towers where they don’t exist, but they can provide information about upcoming sections or stations where they have a reliable connection.
Remember to protect your privacy
Key arrived at the Atlanta train station with office supplies in his luggage and ready for work. One of her lifesavers was a power bank with multiple USB ports and dongles for various devices.
“Even in the bedroom, there’s probably only one or two places to plug in, so you need something to plug everything in,” said Key, who booked a sleeping cabin.
To increase coverage, she carried a cell phone with T-Mobile service and a Verizon hotspot. “Basically, she made sure there were three options at any given time when it came to connectivity,” she said. “This way I was able to stay connected throughout the journey.”
Since Amtrak’s WiFi network is public and unsecured, Key emphasizes the importance of protecting privacy and sensitive materials. She recommends using a VPN and making sure your antivirus software is active. Always use a password manager, she added.
“Make sure you’re not typing your password indiscriminately or it’s not the same password you use everywhere on the web,” she said. “That would spell disaster for you and your family.”
