High-speed train passengers will soon be able to enjoy Wi-Fi service during their trips following years of appeal, according to the WAPI industrial alliance.

Wi-Fi access will first be available on trains running on the route linking Chengdu and Chongqing in southwest China, said Duan Shiping, an executive of one of the developers, Beijing Feitian Technology Co.

Whether the service will be free of charge wasn't disclosed.

"The on-board Wi-Fi system which is jointly developed by Feitian, Southwest Jiaotong University and railway authorities has been tested for one year," Duan told Science and Technology Daily.

The Wi-Fi service on the high-speed trains will provide passengers with rich recreation resources as well as create an online management platform, Duan said.

Researchers have overcome technical difficulties, including how to catch and guarantee good signal, the executive added.

The railway Wi-Fi safety standards have been drafted and authorities are studying them, the newspaper reported.

Passengers have been complaining about the lack of wireless service on high-speed trains for some time now.

A 19-year-old boy, aware of the huge demand, perceived a business opportunity. En route to his home recently, he used a wireless network adapter, a notebook and free Wi-Fi sharing software to create several Internet accesses, People’s Daily website reported.

Based on different Internet speed, he charged users from 10 yuan (US$1.653) to 20 yuan per hour. Within 30 minutes, he earned 500 yuan, the website reported.

Railway authorities said the boy had violated rules which bans vendors from selling items on trains.