transport and mobility

This is a pretty apt time to be writing this as I sit in Sydney airport twiddling my thumbs awaiting my next flight.

However, I must go back to what put this thought in my head originally. BBC News 24 had an article yesterday on the forthcoming alliances amongst rail networks amongst Europe. Yes, you've always been able to transit internationally (in Europe at least) by train, but this was more an alliance in the form of the airline alliances: think frequent 'train' miles, etc.

One of the big benefits that the spokesman for this alliance was emphasizing was the fact that they drop you (usually) in the city center, and there's none of the hassles of airports (i.e. getting to the city boundary to the airport, arriving 3 hours before your flight, and repeating upon arrival). However he also mentioned another benefit of trains, more room and the fact that business people can much more easily use laptops and do work, etc.

While I won't condone the fact that it means you can do MORE work while away from the office ;), I like his thinking. However, they're still limited by the one factor I've mentioned previously. One of the big gripes I've had against current data networks is the lack of access while mobile, and by mobile, actually moving. Having extensively tried to use all the modern (and heavily promoted features) of 3G networks back in Ireland, I can only describe them as spectacular failures - I'd guess I made it about 200 meters before the data link was too poor to maintain the link. Meaning the one place where mobile TV, internet might actually be useful; i.e. when you're sitting idly on your choice of transport, you're probably most likely that absolutely none of the services will work.

At the end of the day, all I'm hoping for is that someone is actually thinking about this. In the modern day and age, internet access is pretty critical to getting any work (or anything) done!

I do see a glimmer of potential for airline travel (Qantas have announced that they're equiping all of their planes with power sockets, USB connectors and wi-fi!?!? Woah, I can only hope this is the real deal. And not to mention, that someone sees sense and actually offers this at a fair price. While I can't see myself making the most of this all the time (sometimes the lack of access on a plane is quite appealing :), I'm looking forward to most offerings like this.

What do people think about the benefits of access while mobile? And would you be willing to pay for it?