Time Travel in Shanghai: 20 Mbps LTE On a Train at 300 Kmph


MAGLEV LTE watermarkED-4

What’s the most exciting aspect of the Maglev train in Shanghai that runs at the speed of 400 Kmph ?! Its ability to travel from the middle of the city to an airport located 30 Kms. apart, in nearly 7 minutes!!? Perhaps, one might not pay attention to the speed of the train if busy downloading data, on this train @ 50 Mbps !

Huawei took a few tech enthusiasts on a ride in the Maglev train, to demonstrate high speed LTE that can provide download speed of up to 50 Mbps. This service is still on trial, in Shanghai. In a demo that I witnessed, Speedtest.net showed a max speed of 20 Mbps data download speed on China Unicom Network, this – while the train ran at a speed 300 Kmph. The speeds began to deteriorate as the airport came closer because the LTE network finishes halfway down the track.

Maglev Metropolis Ticketing Center on Longyang road in Shanghai.
Maglev Metropolis Ticketing Center on Longyang road in Shanghai.
One for the collection - Fancy Maglev and Metro passes.
One for the collection – Fancy Maglev and Metro passes.
My VIP Maglev return Pass priced at 160 Chinese Yuan or Rupees 1600.
My VIP Maglev return Pass priced at 160 Chinese Yuan or Rupees 1600.
Maglev train: Designed for high speed.
Maglev train: Designed for high speed.

MAGLEV LTE watermarkED-6

VIP cabin is fitted, right in front of the Maglev train
VIP cabin is fitted, right in front of the Maglev train
The very comfortable VIP cabin in the Maglev train. It isn’t very difficult to walk around and take pictures even while the train is in action.
The very comfortable VIP cabin in the Maglev train. It isn’t very difficult to walk around and take pictures even while the train is in action.

 

275 KMPH, in no time!
275 KMPH, in no time!
In matter of a few minutes, 301 KMPH is the max speed Maglev touched, in our journey.
In matter of a few minutes, 301 KMPH is the max speed Maglev touched, in our journey.
LTE speed tested on an Android tablet - Huawei Media pad 7.
LTE speed tested on an Android tablet – Huawei Media pad 7.

The advantage of having high speed Internet is not just for passengers to have super fast data download speeds but also utilize LTE in video surveillance solutions implemented on board, for security staff to monitor situation on individual trains.


Author: Shilpa

Shilpa Dhamija is Head, Special Projects at FoneArena. She is currently using Huawei P9 and Samsung A7. Her favourite OS is the Android OS. She has formerly worked as the Producer of show Cell Guru on NDTV. Follow her on Google+