As the Gautrain gears up for the opening of the Johannesburg-Pretoria link, it is unclear whether business people will be able to use the trip productively, as commuters will not be able to surf the Internet or send e-mails along the entire route.
The rapid-rail train is set to shortly connect Johannesburg and Pretoria, trimming travelling time between the two metropolitans to about 30 minutes. However, the train's operator is still looking at how it can give passengers access to data and voice services while the train is underground.
Spokesperson Barbara Jensen says there is data connectivity, but it is limited to when the coaches are above ground and subscribers can connect to mobile operators' towers. She says this is an issue the Bombela Concession Company, which runs the service, is investigating.
“We need extra capacity in terms of fibre-optics in the tunnels and this is currently under investigation, and we have to look at the business case around this. [We] hope to have an announcement on this in the foreseeable future.”
Jensen explains the cost structure, as well as return on investment, is being explored. She could not provide any clarity on what technology may be implemented.
The Gautrain, which cost more than R25 billion to build, was first mooted 13 years ago, but construction only started in 2006. So far, the train has links between Sandton, Rhodesfield, Marlboro and the OR Tambo International Airport.
Links between Johannesburg and Pretoria are still going through a round of safety tests, and there is no exact date for when this route will become available.
Frustrated
wireless access for the entire trip. “One of the issues I think is very important is just how effective 3G communication will be while travelling on the train.”
Riley believes that if the network signal is unreliable, or unavailable, many business travellers will probably choose not to use the Gautrain.
“3G technology is meant to be a transportable Internet service, but it does seem to work a lot better when you do not move from repeater to repeater. This acts to make transmission very spotty, something the business traveller will really not appreciate.”
Riley argues business people would use the time spent on the train to “get on with work”, but would then be frustrated with “broken Internet”.
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