Japanese super train Shinkansen with full Wi-Fi between Tokyo and Osaka

Posted on June 28th, 2008 by Serkan Toto

On Thursday railway operator JR Toukai announced they will offer full Wi-Fi on the N700 Shinkansen bullet train between Tokyo and Osaka. This route is the most important one in Japan.

Travellers will be able to access the web in all seats for the first time in Japan. The Wi-Fi connection is even supposed to work in tunnels. The service will also be available at all stations between Tokyo and Osaka.

JR Toukai says they will install 32 hot spots in the 16 wagons of the N700. The company promises the service will be ready in March next year.

Via Nikkei Net

Author Information  Dr. Serkan Toto is a German based in Tokyo. Like us, he is passionate about introducing Japanese IT to the rest of the world. Full-time, Serkan works as an independent web industry consultant for hedge funds, venture capital companies and start-ups worldwide. He is also a writer for mega tech blog network TechCrunch, covering Japan-related technology and web trends. This is Serkan's website. Follow Serkan on Twitter here.

Tags: Company, Event Report, New Service, Technology // 9 Comments »

  • http://karateka.jp/2008/06/30/20080630_202507/ カラテカ.jp |

    ■東海道新幹線のインターネット接続サービスについて ■Japanese super train Shinkansen with full Wi-Fi between Tokyo and Osaka | Asiajin●新幹線車内で無線LANが使えちゃうYO、と。 ●平成21年3月サービス開始予定。N700系のみ、らしい。のぞみだけ、ってことなのかな。鉄道マニヤではないからよくわからぬ。

  • http://wifinetnews.com/archives/008390.html Wi-Fi Networking News

    same is true for the Apple TV with a free 2.1 software update for the digital box that’s available now. (Also, you can snap screen shots in iPhone 2.0: Hold down the Home button and then press the top button. The capture is stored in your photo roll.)Japanese bullet train gets Wi-Fi by next March:This was first announced in 2006; it’s still on track, pun intended. The line runs from Tokyo to Osaka. Network 1 expands its service St. Louis area: The company will offer service in 8 additional cities for a total of 15 in the St. Louis, Mo., area.

  • http://www.alexkane.net Alex

    That’s great! Will it be free?

  • http://akimoto.jp/blog/ Akky Akimoto

    It’s not mentioned on the release if it’s charged or not.

    Their existing WiFi service are provided at waiting room of few Tokaido-Shinkansen stations, but it requires you to be a member of commercial WiFi network, so it is likely you need to get the membership by couple of hundred yens per month.

    As Tokyo-Osaka is the biggest battle field for Japan Railway and airlines, I hope they will make it free for the competition, it also makes easy connection.

  • http://hq.andrewshuttleworth.com AndrewShuttleworth

    I wonder whether they do or will also provide power outlets in the seats.

  • http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?p=9968808#post9968808 Cool new stuff (buildings / trains / technology etc.) – Page 3 – FlyerTalk Forums

    [...] document.write(”); Full WiFi to launch on N700 trains between Tokyo and Osaka in 2009. http://asiajin.com/blog/2008/06/28/j…kyo-and-osaka/ No more excuses to stop at McDonalds at Shin Osaka Eki before the train home. (Funny how the [...]

  • http://akimoto.jp/blog/ Akky Akimoto

    N700 already provides power socket, for each seat in green-sha (first seat), window-side seats only in regular car. As far as I read the report.

    Which shinkansen train using N700 is… I do not know. Ask when you buy the ticket?

  • http://startup.dino.co.jp/2008/07/18/english-14/ スタートアップ研修記 » 英語 日本のニュースを英語で読む！

    [...] Japanese super train Shinkansen with full Wi-Fi between Tokyo and Osaka [...]

  • http://asiajin.com/blog/2009/03/26/is-wifi-availability-a-key-to-choose-the-route-for-business-travellers-and-commuters/ Is WiFi availability A Key To Choose The Route For Business Travellers and Commuters? | Asiajin

    [...] started in-train WiFi service this month between Tokyo and Osaka (Serkan Toto covered it in this story), as a winning trick to defeat airline carriers having the same money-making route connecting two [...]

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