Amtrak issues RFIs for Wi-Fi connectivity along NEC

Amtrak recently issued two requests for information (RFIs) to support high-speed Wi-Fi connectivity along the 450-mile Northeast Corridor (NEC) from Washington, D.C., to Boston.

Amtrak is seeking partners to design, deploy and operate a fiber-optics and wireless network that improves onboard passenger Wi-Fi, network connectivity and other use cases. The railroad aims to build a wireless network from the ground up along the NEC, Amtrak officials said in a press release.

Through the RFIs, Amtrak is seeking:
• organizations interested in deploying a fiber network along the NEC to support long-term digitization; and
• metrics for understanding the market demand for fiber along six subsections of the corridor (Washington Union Station to Baltimore Penn Station; Baltimore Penn Station to Philadelphia 30th Street Station; Philadelphia 30th Street Station to Newark Penn Station; Newark Penn Station to New York Penn Station; New York Penn Station to New Haven Union Station; and New Haven Union Station to Boston South Station).

Following the RFIs, a request for proposals may be issued to design and build a new high-capacity fiber-optic cable along the NEC. Based on what's learned from the RFIs, the railroad will consider options to bring modern, reliable Wi-Fi to trains throughout the country, Amtrak officials said.