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One device was connected to Amtrak’s Wi-Fi network, while the other was connected to T-Mobile’s cellular network. I brought two iPhones with me to test connection speeds throughout my trip. On its website, Amtrak states that it allows VPN traffic on its network, so you shouldn't have problems connecting with your favorite VPN provider. I was also able to connect to a different server using Proton VPN. I could connect to a server using my company-provided VPN while I worked on the train. I was also unable to watch YouTube videos or use Spotify, but my T-Mobile-connected device easily handled those tasks. This is unsurprising since Amtrak notes on its website that heavy video streaming will be restricted on the network. My attempt to use video conferencing apps using Amtrak’s Wi-Fi failed. Can You Attend Video Conferences on Amtrak's Wi-Fi? I did not encounter any content-based filtering during my train-based working experience. Amtrak also mentions on its website that it filters "objectionable" content. That means no large file downloads and no media streaming.
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Amtrak Wi-Fi Content FilteringĪmtrak is pretty explicit about how it expects the free Wi-Fi network to be used.
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You do not have to give up your email address or create a password to connect to the free Wi-Fi, and Amtrak did not request seating or ticketing information from me when I connected. To use Amtrak's free Wi-Fi, connect to the appropriate Wi-Fi network for your train and open your browser. With that in mind, I tried the four tasks most office workers need to perform on any given day: connecting to Wi-Fi, accessing online content, attending video meetings, and connecting to a VPN. A fair number of the replies to my posts centered around logistics and privacy concerns that come with working away from home or an office. Putting Amtrak's Wi-Fi to the Testĭuring my trip, I kept in touch with colleagues and readers via my Mastodon account.
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You know what that means: Use a VPN, make sure your antivirus software is running, and keep using your password manager all around the web while you browse. You're responsible for protecting your personal and work data and devices from malware and spyware, not Amtrak. Regarding security, while connected to Amtrak's free Wi-Fi, be aware that it's an open network and security is nonexistent. The conductor reports the issue to an offsite monitoring service that can look into it on behalf of Amtrak. Your browser does not support the video tag.Īmtrak also advises passengers to contact the train conductor if there is an issue with the onboard Wi-Fi instead of sending them to a customer support line. Throughout my journey, the free Wi-Fi provided a slow but reliable connection.
Amtrak cautions passengers against engaging in high-bandwidth online activity such as audio and video streaming when they connect to the network, stating that such activity slows the network speeds for everyone else on the train. The signal is most reliable when close to a tower.
How Wi-Fi Works on AmtrakĪccording to Amtrak, the trains have modems that connect to the cellular towers along their routes to provide basic free Wi-Fi services to all train passengers. Is Amtrak’s free Wi-Fi usable for your average office worker? Let’s find out. I also wanted to see if the free Wi-Fi connection could support more robust network usage, such as audio streaming using a service like Spotify, video conferencing, and connecting to a VPN server. I knew Amtrak’s free onboard Wi-Fi would be slow on my trip, but I hoped it would be sufficient for me to remain productive enough to complete my everyday tasks, which include browsing the internet for research, emailing, and sending small text-based files.
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