Everyone knows that, even in the year 2025, trying to access the internet on a train journey is no easy task. As you speed across the countryside, through tunnels and over bridges, signal is constantly going in and out – your YouTube video keeps buffering, your phone call with your mum keeps hanging up and your work messages keep glitching. You might as well just give up and read a good old fashioned book. Desperate times.
But the UK government has promised that that’ll soon change. The department for transport has unveiled ‘Project Reach’ – an initiative that will supposedly eliminate mobile signal ‘dead zones’ and boost 4G and 5G internet connection across Britain’s rail network.
On June 26, Network Rail (which is owned by the government) signed an agreement with private telecom companies Neos Networks and Freshwave to install 1,000km of ultra-fast fibre optic cable along major routes, like parts of the East Coast Main Line from London King's Cross to Newcastle, the West Coast Main Line from the capital to Manchester and the Great Western main line between London and Cardiff. That includes bringing mobile signal to tunnels, too.
It’ll take three years for the project to reach completion, as the cables can only be installed when trains aren’t running on the tracks. Work is expected to start in 2026 and it’ll be fully rolled out by 2028. Following that, there are plans to bring better connectivity to a further 5,000km of line.
Network providers will also be investing in new 4G/5G infrastructure at 12 of the biggest rail stations across the country including Birmingham New St, Bristol Temple Meads, Edinburgh Waverley, Euston, Glasgow Central, King’s Cross, Leeds, Liverpool Lime Street, Liverpool Street, Manchester Piccadilly, Paddington and Waterloo.
Heidi Alexander, the secretary of state for transport, said: ‘This is a game changer for passengers up and down the country and will revolutionise journeys from Paddington to Penzance and Edinburgh to Euston.
‘By boosting connectivity and tackling signal blackspots, we are also ensuring a more reliable and efficient service. This means better journeys for passengers while supporting our broader Plan for Change goals of economic growth and digital innovation.’
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