Pakistan Outlines Plans for WiFi on its Trains

The much-vaunted, long-awaited addition of WiFi to trains in Pakistan appears to be finally moving ahead. National Minister for Railways, Muhammad Hanif Abbasi, told a press conference yesterday that an initial 40 trains will be kitted out for the service this year, with the rest of the fleet to be upgraded by 2027.

The full programme for this year’s Traincomms Conference is available here: https://www.traincomms.com/#content2b

According to Abbasi, “Uplifting Pakistan Railways has become indispensable for development of the country.” He went on to indicate that 155 railway stations will be moved to solar power within two months and free WiFi service will be provided in over 40 trains “very soon”.

The moves are part of a drive to increase the number of passengers using the country’s rail system and will see WiFi equipment installed on over 200 carriages.  

The state-owned transport giant, which carries some 70 million passengers annually, has already installed free WiFi at almost every “divisional level” railway station. To some extent this is mimicking its neighbour India which has already successfully installed WiFi at over 6,000 rail stops, large and small.

Pakistan Railways is currently in the midst of a modernisation programme - Pakistan Railways Vision 2026. The main drive of which is to boost its share of the national transport sector to 20% (up from around 5%). The minister emphasized that the railways is a strategic asset that cannot be outsourced and must be developed to meet the expectations of passengers.

The train operator has offered WiFi services on board its flagship business express train between Lahore and Karachi since 2012. The Pak Business Express covers the 1,200km journey in around 18 hours. The train is a joint venture between Pakistan Railways and private investment companies.

Pakistan Railways has also been offering WiFi on its re-branded Greenline trains covering the 23 hour haul between Karachi and Islamabad. However, the service has come in for criticism over the speed and extent of coverage offered on the route.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) had been signed with the Punjab Information Technology Board in this regard. A free WiFi service is going to be provided in all train services, Mr Abbasi maintained.

On-Train WiFi services, trackside communications systems and LEO satellite-delivered broadband will feature heavily at this year’s Traincomms Conference in London (www.Traincomms.com ).

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The full programme for this year’s Traincomms Conference is available here: https://www.traincomms.com/#content2b