South Shore plans to install free Wi-Fi for riders

South Shore riders should be able to connect to free Wi-Fi on trains in 2012, with the commuter railroad now wiring cars in preparation for installing the necessary hardware.

South Shore operator Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District has contracted with Blueweb Mobile Media PLC to supply the Wi-Fi hardware, according to NICTD Planning and Marketing Director John Parsons. The company will coordinate ad sales with current South Shore ad broker Q Rail LLC.

"This will allow folks who don't have air cards or smart phones to stay connected and work as they ride," Parsons said.

Passengers using the Wi-Fi will not need a user name or password but will simply be able to connect, Parsons said. It will be similar to the Wi-Fi experience customers have at retail establishments such as Starbucks and Dunkin' Donuts.

The railroad hopes to have the Wi-Fi hardware installed in the first half of the year, Parsons said. Because the wiring is going in now Wi-Fi should be available to riders immediately upon installation of the hardware.

NICTD has wrestled with installing mobile technology in train cars for years, including an ill-fated effort more than a decade ago that made air phones available for a connection fee just as the cell phone boom started.

The Wi-Fi hardware is all being paid for by Blueweb Mobile Media, Parsons said. South Shore staff are doing the installation. NICTD will get a cut of revenues above a certain threshold when Blueweb Mobile Media sells enough adverting space on the Wi-Fi landing page, Parsons said.

Domestically, Blueweb Mobile Media PLC is based in Delray Beach, Fla. It is headquartered in Germany and its stock is publicly traded on the Frankfurt exchange under the ticker BWC. Q Rail LLC is based in Chicago.