WiFi on MBTA commuter rail

Helen Rose

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Jan 22, 2008, 7:54:22 AM1/22/08

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a work colleague reported that he was on a train this morning
(Providence to Boston) that had MBTA WiFi available. There was an MBTA
splashscreen that he had to click through before he could get access.

Is this some sort of unannounced pilot? Has anyone else seen/heard of
it?

--Helen

Robert Coe

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Jan 22, 2008, 10:37:22 PM1/22/08

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On Tue, 22 Jan 2008 07:54:22 -0500, Helen Rose <hrose-...@ckdhr.com> wrote:
: a work colleague reported that he was on a train this morning

No, and I'd be careful. There appear to be virus/spyware programs that
advertise themselves as free wi-fi. I've seen them on the Fitchburg line many
times. The people carrying them probably don't even know they're there.

Bob

sabo...@gmail.com

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Jan 23, 2008, 4:00:07 PM1/23/08

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If anyone sees this could they take a screen shot? (On a PC press the
"PrtSc" or "Print Screen" button on your keyboard... this copies the
screen image to your clipboard and you can paste into MSPaint or an
email or something...

Thanks :)

junk...@gmail.com

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Jan 25, 2008, 2:31:45 AM1/25/08

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http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2384/2213016829_0fa5dbb5d8.jpg?v=0

...that is all.

MPS

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Jan 25, 2008, 7:40:21 PM1/25/08

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> http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2384/2213016829_0fa5dbb5d8.jpg?v=0

Interesting screenshot! Upon first look, I am going to say it's a
fake or spam. Can you perhaps post the Address/URL in more detail?
Either an image blown up so the URL is readable or copy it into a
response. Some of can investigate it from there. thanks!

Nil

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Jan 26, 2008, 1:29:40 AM1/26/08

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I can see that the first part is <http://ridernet.parvus.com/> which
leads to a login screen. Parvus.com seems to be a company that makes
wifi products for cars and transit systems, so it looks like this might
be legit.

MPS

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Jan 26, 2008, 6:20:53 PM1/26/08

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Yup, you're right. More research into this site brings a node
listing:

http://ridernet.parvus.com/wifidog/node_list.php

Note there are a bunch of MBTA ones in testing. Most importantly, a
MBTA page complete with a real mbta.com email address for inquiries
(the gmail.com one on the splash page above is what made me doubt)...

http://ridernet.parvus.com/splash/MBTA/

Someone wanna email wifi...@mbta.com for more information? :)

Alan

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Jan 27, 2008, 12:21:48 PM1/27/08

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I've seen RiderNet show up as a wireless network on the
Lakeville/Middleboro line, but did not try to connect.

John F. Carr

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Jan 27, 2008, 4:10:31 PM1/27/08

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In article <85bq7eu...@sergyar.ckdhr.com>,

Here is an article in the mainstream media about the trial
on the Worcester line:

http://www.telegram.com/article/20080127/NEWS/801270418/1116

"Initially, at least one car per train will provide free wireless
fidelity, or Wi-Fi, service to passengers."

--
John Carr (j...@mit.edu)

Michael Moroney

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Jan 28, 2008, 4:36:49 PM1/28/08

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Helen Rose <hrose-...@ckdhr.com> writes:

There was a news story on WBZ-AM about free WiFi from the MBTA on the
Framingham-Worcester line, apparently only on certain cars. They say they
plan to have it on all lines in the future.

D. Kirkpatrick

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Jan 29, 2008, 11:27:56 AM1/29/08

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In article <fnlhth$htm$1...@pcls6.std.com>,
mor...@world.std.spaamtrap.com (Michael Moroney) wrote:

>
> There was a news story on WBZ-AM about free WiFi from the MBTA on the
> Framingham-Worcester line, apparently only on certain cars. They say they
> plan to have it on all lines in the future.

MBTA press release at their web site says W/F line will have select
cars available. Cars equipped with WiFi will eventually show up on
other lines as well.

The W/F line WiFi is a pilot program and they will be soliciting input
from users on what is right, wrong, and how to make it better.