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Written question asked by Lord Lucas (Conservative) on Thursday, 11 September 2025, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 25 September 2025. It was answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill (Labour) on Wednesday, 24 September 2025 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

Railways: Mobile Broadband

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have conducted any evidence-based research into the benefits of providing stable, ultrafast internet connectivity to train passengers, and if not, why not; and whether they will use this research to inform railway development policy and funding decisions with the aim of enabling passengers to make productive use of their rail journeys, stimulating economic growth, reducing road congestion, and supporting the environment.

Answer

As part of a project called the 'Yellow Trains Exercise', the Department has asked Network Rail to collect data related to mobile signal strengths (2G, 3G, 4G and 5G) along the rail network, using antennas mounted on the top of Network Rail’s yellow engineering trains (“the yellow trains”). We will use this data to understand where areas of intervention are needed based on the signal strength data collected and this will be used to inform policy making. We expect the exercise to be completed next year.

In addition to this, the Department was also successful in securing funding as part of the Spending Review to fit all mainline trains with Low Earth Orbit satellite technology to upgrade on-train Wi-fi.

This works by installing satellite panels on the roof of a train - either one or two depending on the length of the train and equipment on board the train coverts this satellite signal into a Wi-Fi connection for passengers.

Trials using LEO have proven this technology provides high speeds – up to 200 megabits per second, enabling passengers to receive a much better mobile connection through the on-train Wi-Fi than they receive today.

The Department has also been working with Network Rail to deliver improved connectivity on the rail network. Project Reach, which will renew fibre optic cables and address 4G / 5G mobile signals in key mainline tunnels and stations was signed 26 June 2025 between Network Rail, and telecoms companies, Neos Networks and Freshwave.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL10461
Session
2024-26
Subjects
Railways Research Mobile broadband
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk