"Data-hungry rail passengers will have to wait until at least 2030 before getting something like universal mobile data coverage across the UK, a minister confirmed this week. That might be a disappointment for trainspotters and commuters who were left excitedly looking down the track in June, when Network Rail announced plans and partners to roll out 4G and 5G on key lines by 2028. But full(ish) coverage across mainline trains will only come via low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, courtesy of a tender process that is just getting off the ground."
"Narayan added that under the 10 Year Infrastructure Strategy the government was working with the Department for Transport, Ofcom and other regulators and transport bodies to assess the telecoms needs of the transport sector. The target for this exercise? 2026. "The Department for Transport also recently secured funding to introduce low Earth orbit satellite connectivity on all mainline trains, which will significantly improve both the availability and internet data connection speeds for Wi-Fi connected passengers.""
Universal mobile data coverage on UK trains is unlikely to be achieved before 2030. The government aims for higher-quality standalone 5G across all populated areas by 2030, but many rail routes run outside those zones. A 10 Year Infrastructure Strategy assessment involving DSIT, the Department for Transport, Ofcom and other bodies targets 2026 to determine transport telecoms needs. The Department for Transport has secured funding to add low Earth orbit satellite connectivity to all mainline trains to improve availability and Wi-Fi data speeds. Project Reach and industry deals will deploy fiber and 4G/5G on key lines by 2028, while full coverage depends on LEO solutions.
Read at Theregister
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]