VIA Rail has formally launched the first wireless broadband Internet service for passengers traveling in the Windsor-Quebec City corridor.

The job of turning every VIA Rail coach into a moving Wi-Fi hotspot is almost complete. All VIA 1 first class coaches will be set up for Wi-Fi service by the end of April, with economy coaches fully equipped by the end of the year. In addition, VIA is establishing hotspots at each of its 22 stations in the corridor.

An icon located in each car tells passengers whether Wi-Fi service is available.

VIA decided to provide Wi-Fi access after it surveyed its passengers and found most would take more train trips if Internet service was available. Eighty per cent said they'd be willing to pay a reasonable fee, says Benoit Laporte, VIA Rail's e-marketing manager.

Ottawa's PointShot Wireless provides the hardware for on-train communications and connectivity management.

"They were the first and they are the best," says Mr. Laporte.

The Internet service is provided by satellite, and offers download speeds of up to 3 Mbps in urban centres and 1 Mbps in rural regions. A server installed in the front car of the train is linked to Wi-Fi terminals in each of the other coaches, as well as the satellite teleport in Hamilton.

Earlier experiments involving Bell Canada and Telus proved unsatisfactory because of poor coverage and spotty service.

The Wi-Fi service costs $8.95 for 24 hours of access, or $46 for a monthly account. Short-term hookups are available for $3.99 for 15 minutes, plus 30 cents a minute.

VIA expects the service to be popular with business users who can get more done while traveling, as well as with students traveling back and forth to university. VIA will soon extend the service to offer TV-on-demand as well as movies for an additional charge.