Dec 06/Jan 07

In-train Internet access is due to be launched on Virgin's West Coast Main Line trains in the first part of 2007, as well as on the Heathrow Express. T-Mobile and Nomad Rail have been appointed to install both systems, using various hybrid technologies to create Wi-Fi access.

Rail passengers travelling between London and Brighton already have such a service, also provided by T-Mobile and Nomad, and since last summer it has been offered free. When we closed for press Southern Railway's Web site was still advertising the service as free "until further notice".

Meanwhile, the on-board service already offered on GNER's East Coast Main Line services notched up a milestone in November, when the 250,000th user is said to have logged on. GNER offers the service in all carriages of all trains on main routes, as well as in eleven station lounges. GNER says take-up is growing steadily (it rose10 per cent between October and November, for instance).

The likely price of the new T-Mobile services was not clear when we closed for press. GNER offers free access to first-class passengers, and charges other travellers £2.95 per half-hour of use, £4.95 for an hour, £7.95 for two hours or £9.95 for 24 hours.

T-Mobile is talking about charging on the Heathrow Express, but points out that passes bought prior to boarding will be valid on trains, while those bought on trains will remain valid at the either end of the journey - in the Heathrow terminal, and in 200 central London hotspots such as Starbucks cafés.

Although the journey time between the airport and Paddington is only 23 minutes at the most, the train company reckons the journey provides an ideal time window for business travellers to catch up on email. Heathrow Express handles around 5.4 million passenger journeys a year - a volume that helps explain the investment.