IT-driven information services in Shinkansen operations : present state and outlook

Recent surge in the use of broadband communications has created a demand for information services onboard Shinkansen trains. This article gives an overview of wireless LAN, introduces wireless LAN services at Nozomi stations, and discusses technological development that aims at providing information services onboard Shinkansen trains in the future (including information services onboard Shinkansen trains and technological challenges in their realization, comparison of communication methods, and current undertakings).