Railways: Mobile Broadband
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment Network Rail has made of the adequacy of existing trackside infrastructure, including GSM-R masts and overhead line stanchions, for use by mobile network operators and private 5G providers; and whether guidelines for the telecommunications industry on using such infrastructure have been published.
Answered by Keir Mather
Network Rail is exploring options for the shared use of its existing trackside telecommunications infrastructure, including through programmes such as the Future Railway Mobile Communication System (FRMCS) and Project Reach. This includes undertaking studies to determine whether assets such as masts and associated structures could support mobile network operators’ equipment, with opportunities for co‑location and targeted upgrades being actively considered as part of the solution to address coverage gaps along the rail corridor.
Guidance has not been published as a single consolidated document for the telecommunications industry. Instead, requirements are set out through a combination of Network Rail standards, contractual arrangements and programme-specific frameworks, which continue to evolve as delivery models for improved rail connectivity are developed.
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