Train Wi-Fi has been back in the news this month, with research suggesting many UK rail routes still struggle with reliable connectivity and murmurings of satellite connectivity that might transform how we use tech on trains. What’s your experience?
Have you ever had “free” train Wi-Fi that allows you to get things done, whether that’s work or play?
Maybe you rely on your own resources - downloading what you need or using your own mobile?
Or is the answer just to switch off and watch the scenery? (and as a bonus, avoid the frantic series of yoga poses to be first to the shared power sockets)
If you’ve got tips or advice to share - or questions for the commuters in our community - find a seat below 
Last week, traveled from Pershore to Southampton. Initially GWR to Reading. There was a free WiFi, but it was incredibly slow - like the 2000s slow. Reading to Basingstoke was GWR too. No WiFi. And Basingstoke to Southampton was Southern Railways. No WiFi.
I think contention is also an issue. With too many people logged on, the service, what there is, is unusable.
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I travel by train a lot for business. I chose to do so because of the positive environmental impact, but also because it gives me meeting-free space and time to do focused work. On some journeys I feel like I do a days worth of uninterrupted work. I always sit next to a power source. But sometimes these are broken.
It feels like a bit of a lottery with train companies. Some trains have much stronger and reliable WIFI and with others it’s impossible to get on. I’ve had excellent and poor WIFI on Greater Anglia and Southern trains. Non existent WIFI on Avanti West Coast trains. It does feel like it is a bit of a lottery.
I’d love to see all train companies commit to WIFI and working power sockets for all as a way to get more people to choose train travel and ditch car journeys.
Is there a trick to where you should sit for best WIFI connectivity?
I’d imagine it’s in or as close to First Class as you can get.
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Great point about contention @Juliandc - and as you say, that’s if there’s any WiFi available in the first place 
And interesting thought about first class @greenwellys - looks like some of the train companies do tout better WiFi as a first-class perk. One would assume it’s password protected somehow but certainly worth the experiment!
I’d love to work on the train in theory, but the provided wifi is so flaky, my own mobile hotspot is not something you can count on, and I find the train surprisingly noisy…plus I worry about people looking at my screen if it’s anything sensitive. Unless there’s something urgent I try to plan a train journey to watch a downloaded programme/film or else listen to an audio book and knit or draw. I think if the service was a bit more reliable I’d give it another go, with privacy screens and headphones but right now it seems a better use to arrive relatively rested.