A YORK train company today said its new era of wireless communications would hit the rails nine months ahead of schedule.

East Coast Main line operator GNER said its entire fleet would be "wi-fi" ready by August - well ahead of its original deadline of May, 2007.

The Station Rise-based company said it had dramatically accelerated the project in response to popular demand from passengers.

When GNER began its current franchise in May 2005, a key element of its multi-million pound service improvement plans was the installation of wireless internet across its fleet of trains, following the huge success of a trial onboard ten of its rebuilt 'Mallard' trains.

GNER chief executive Christopher Garnett said: "Wireless internet is already proving popular and versatile on board the ten trains which already have it.

"We are keen to bring the benefits to all GNER passengers as quickly as we can."

Every GNER train, including the ten which have been part of the original "wi-fi" trial, will be fitted with the latest satellite, GPRS and 3G equipment, allowing faster connection speeds and "always-on" connectivity to the wireless network while on the move.

The new technology means passengers using "wi-fi can remain connected throughout the journey, even in tunnels.

Mr Garnett said: "Wi-fi technology has advanced significantly since GNER became the first UK train operator to offer "wi-fi" on a moving train in December 2003.

"We can now harness the most up-to-date technology to deliver impressive connection speeds and reliability.

"Wireless internet means you can send and receive email and surf the Internet throughout your GNER train journey. The possibilities for business and leisure travellers are endless."

GNER trains send and receive communications signals through a combination of a roof-mounted satellite dish and mobile phone antenna.

Each coach along the entire length of the train is then connected through the onboard wireless network to

create a "wi-fi" 'hot-spot' throughout every coach on the train.

First Class passengers can use "wi-fi" free of charge during their journey, while in Standard Class the system operates on a 'pay-as-you-go' principle, similar to an internet cafe.

Work to fit wireless internet equipment to GNER's electric and diesel trains is under way at the company's depots at Bounds Green in north London and at Craigentinny in Edinburgh.

Updated: 11:25 Thursday, March 30, 2006