Hopes that Formula 1-inspired tech will enhance UK practice Wi-Fi
UK train Wi-Fi is set to receive a high-speed makeover with Formula 1-inspired technology.
Great Western Railway will trial a new system as part of a pilot scheme with British tech and products company Motion Applied.
The hybrid system uses technology that was previously developed for Formula 1 cars and involves signals from low earth orbit satellites and ground-based mobile phone masts.
GWR’s Intercity Express Train will have the Wi-Fi for 60 days from mid-November, BBC News reports.
The transport body for Cornwall, Plymouth, Devon, Somerset and Torbay, Peninsula Transport are working with Motion Applied for the project.
According to Railway News, Nick Fry, Motion Applied’s chairman, described how the company had ‘recognised’ how rail operators struggle to provide onboard Wi-Fi for their customers.
He explained: ‘We have used technology originally developed for F1 cars to reliably connect a fast moving vehicle by reducing signal drop outs and seamlessly switch cell networks.
‘The challenges faced in transmitting data to and from a fast moving train have many parallels with motorsport and the application of our industry-leading data link aggregation systems specifically tailored to the unique demands of rail will provide an improved customer experience using racing technology.’
A Great Western Railway train will trial a new system as part of a pilot scheme with British tech and products company Motion Applied (stock)
It comes after it was revealed passengers commuting on British trains experience slower Wi-Fi speeds than their Romanian counterparts.
Figures released last month found that UK trains have the third slowest Wi-Fi speeds in comparison to 18 major European and Asian railway networks.
Meanwhile the Wi-Fi available onboard Irish trains is 25 times faster.
The research conducted by Ookla found British trains have average upload speeds of 1.07 megabits, which usually only allows for basic internet browsing and emails.
It suggests that this is because multiple rail operators are still using older Wi-Fi 4 based connectivity.
Luke Kehoe, a researcher at Ookla said: ‘Europe and Asia‘s rail networks, long heralded as a backbone of economic competitiveness, are now judged not only on punctuality and comfort but on the quality of the digital experience onboard.
‘High-quality train Wi-Fi has shifted from nice-to-have to essential rail infrastructure.
The technology uses a hybrid system featuring technology that was previously developed for Formula 1 cars and involves signals from low earth orbit satellites and ground-based mobile phone masts
‘Commuters expect a home broadband-like experience for streaming, work calls and gaming while crossing the Swiss Alps or skirting Mount Fuji.’
In the 2025 Spending Review the Department for Transport secured £41million.
The money was to help introduce low-earth satellite connectivity onto all mainline trains in the UK.
It also aimed to improve the speed and availability for Wi-Fi by 2030.
