A wireless internet firm is offering Irish rail passengers to chance to surf while they travel, for free.

Wi-Fi firm Airappz, based in Birr, has offered to install public networks in Irish Rail carriages at no charge, following the rail company's original objection due to cost.

The Wi-Fi specialist has even offered to manage the system.

Airappz's Chief Executive Evert Bopp, said: "Wireless internet access on trains and other methods of public transport have proven their worth.

"The availability of these services will entice more people to use these methods of transport. This will lead to increased revenue for the companies providing the transport but it will also lead to fewer cars on the road, which in turn will lead to lower CO2 emissions and less road traffic accidents.

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"By also applying our captive portal solution, operators can offer a wide range of value-added services to travellers. Recent studies by the CTIA (Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association) in the US have indicated that in the US, being able to access the internet on-the-go is expected to generate US$860bn in additional gross domestic product in the next decade. I see no reason why similar logic would not apply to Ireland."

He concluded: "Thats why we have taken the step of offering to install and manage a public Wi-Fi network on Irish Rail trains without any capital investment from its side."

Airappz, founded in 2007, has just completed the launch of its first product. The firm now works on establishing wireless hotspots across Ireland. Airappz eventually hope to export its service across Europe and America.

(PR/JM)