A landmark public-private partnership aims to end mobile black spots on transport routes with ultra-fast fibre optic cables across 1,000 kilometres of major rail lines.
A new deal, named Project Reach, was signed today between Network Rail and telecoms companies Neos Networks and Freshwave, which will see commuters be able to keep their signal and stay connected.
This new deal eliminates black spots in tunnels on key rail routes between London, Manchester, Newcastle, and Cardiff.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander 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.”
The agreement is expected to save taxpayers around £300 million, as the project will bring public and private sectors together for investment and infrastructure and is set to create a “high-performing digital connectivity backbone for business supporting the UK’s digital ambitions”.
Jeremy Westlake, Network Rail’s Chief Financial Officer, said: “I’m delighted that we have now signed this innovative deal with our partners Neos Networks and Freshwave.”
“This investment model will deliver the necessary upgrades to our telecoms infrastructure faster whilst offering significant value for money for the taxpayer and stimulating wider economic benefits across the country.”
Initially, Neos Networks has pledged to deploy 1,000 kilometres of ultra-fast fibre optic cables along the East Coast Main Line, parts of the West Coast Main Line, and the Great Western Main Line. In the near future it also aims to expand its network to over 5,000 kilometres of track.
Additionally, 57 tunnels will have their signal “black spots” eliminated through the investment into new connections, covering near to 50 kilometres, including the Chipping Sodbury tunnel near Bristol, which is over four kilometres long.
Mobile network operators will also invest in new 4G/5G infrastructure at 12 of the biggest Network 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. Freshwave will be collaborating with mobile network providers for this infrastructure.
The installation of mobile infrastructure is expected to start by 2026 and be fully rolled out by 2028. The improved network will also provide better monitoring of railway assets and help new technologies that rely on upgraded connectivity, creating more reliable train services and safety for railway workers.
Lee Myall, CEO of Neos Networks, said: “Project Reach will support the upgrade of the UK’s connectivity infrastructure, creating new data superhighways that will drive the UK’s digital ambitions forward.”
The deal builds on the £41 million announced in the Government’s National Infrastructure Strategy to install low-earth-orbit satellite connectivity on all mainline trains, considerably increasing both the availability and speed of internet data connections for Wi-Fi-enabled passengers.
Featured image via IR Stone / Shutterstock.
