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Railways: Mobile Broadband

Asked by Mr Andrew SnowdenConservativeDepartment for TransportTabled Answered 20 October 2025UIN 81520

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking with the Secretary of State for Transport to help improve internet access across the rail network.

Answered by Simon Lightwood

The Department has been 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 wifi.

However, we know satellite connectivity will not work in tunnels, and the Department has 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 57 key mainline tunnels and stations, was signed 26 June 2025 between Network Rail, and telecoms companies, Neos Networks and Freshwave

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