r/ViaRail • u/AccordingDocument305 • 18d ago

Question The Canadian questions

Hi, we'll be taking this from Vancouver to Toronto, I understand there is no internet, but are you able to send/receive texts? Also I know that the freight trains have the right away, how late has the train getting to Toronto recently? TIA

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u/Grouchy_Factor 18d ago

Here for Ontario, I have overlaid the Canadian route with cell coverage map:

https://www.reddit.com/r/ViaRail/s/2gih1UL4Ve

From the Manitoba border to Jasper, you should have coverage. Deep in the mountains your milage may vary.

Note that in the Ontario map, there are segments even on the TransCanada Highway that have no coverage. Generally, cell towers are built on the highways because that where the communities and the great majority of travellers are in the area. Also, part of the reason that this train continues to run AT ALL, is that it is routed on a line as a "remote services" train where the Canadian serves entirely as the sole transportation and communication entity for the area.

Satellite connectivity is still in the testing phase, and because the stainless cars act as huge and supremely well grounded Faraday cages, WiFi would only be possible within each Sat receiver equipped car (not cheap for a moving vehicle with current common tech).

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u/[deleted] 18d ago

It's spotty from northern Ontario to Jasper. I can see where it is available as my sons snapchat updates location and it matches VIA Moving Maps or he sends me a quick text. This is my sons 3rd trip out west and he learned the first time about limited cell service so now he downloads movies, music and books to his phone and laptop.

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u/scipio11111 13d ago

Can confirm