Why Can't You Use Wireless On Subways

While there are stories every day about adding wireless connections to trains and airplanes, Guy Kewney is wondering what's the problem with using wireless underground on subway/underground trains. Right now, it seems like it's simply a bureaucratic mess that no one wants to deal with. None of the excuses holds up under scrutiny. There's the annoyance factor (but that's true above ground, also). There's the money issue - but as Kewney points out that's a red herring, as there would be plenty of benefit to train operators from offering wireless services, such as location based services (after all, you have a lot of people trying to figure out where they're going...). The final reason is "safety", and Kewney points out that if an airplane can fly with wireless connections bouncing around, it seems unlikely that a railroad is going to crash. He also trashes the idea that there's an issue of personal safety in that wireless devices would get stolen when people see them. Don't people already use these devices on trains above ground? Also, I see people on trains all the time with mobile phones, laptops, portable music players and the like, and while I'm sure there's some theft, it doesn't seem to be a huge problem.

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