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UK Trains Get Satellite WiFi Boost
27 May
Summary
- Hundreds of UK trains to receive satellite WiFi upgrades.
- Funding of £57m allocated for new train connectivity technology.
- Aim is to increase WiFi availability from 50-60% to over 90%.
Government plans are set to upgrade the WiFi on hundreds of Britain's main line trains. Over 1,400 trains across the UK will be fitted with new technology that connects to low-earth satellites. Ministers anticipate this will deliver faster and more dependable service than the current reliance on mobile networks.
The upgrade, costing £57 million, aims to transform on-board WiFi connectivity. The goal is to increase availability from a current range of 50-60% to at least 90%. This initiative is seen as a significant improvement over existing systems that depend on 4G and 5G signals from local mobile masts.
While campaign groups have welcomed the improvements, they highlight that passengers' primary concerns remain the cost and overall reliability of rail travel. Despite this, the government views the WiFi enhancement as a crucial step in improving the passenger experience and making rail travel more attractive. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander is expected to announce further details this summer.
