GWR Set to Trial F1 Tech for Train WiFi

UK train operator GWR is to test a new system of delivering faster and more reliable WiFi to its trains. The technology, which was first developed to improve radio comms with Formula One cars by Motion Applied, uses mobile phone signals backed by LEO Satellite delivery to create stronger connections.

The 60-day trial, which is now underway, has been organised in partnership with the transport body for Cornwall, Devon, Plymouth, Somerset and Torbay, Peninsula Transport. It is understood the train will run across different lines on the GWR network.

The UK certainly appears to have some ground to make up in the On-Train WiFi stakes after networking testing firm Ookla ranked the country 16th out of 18 major European and Asian countries for train WiFi speed. Ookla, which is a division of US-based online publishing giant Ziff- Davis, used crowd-sourced feedback on data speeds from passengers actually travelling on trains as they rumbled across the continent and the British Isles.

According to the online research company’s figures, Sweden sits atop the league table of download speed to trains, with an impressive 64.58Mbps median speed in Q2 of this year. Meanwhile, Spain 1.45Mbps, the UK 1.09Mbps and the Netherlands 0.41Mbps, languished at the foot of the table.

Nick Fry, chairman of Motion Applied, formerly part of McLaren Group, said the issues faced in connecting to the internet from a fast moving train had "many parallels with motorsport".

He added that by using technology originally developed for F1 cars, trains should be able to switch between ground and space-based networks such as LEO satellites to "reliably connect" without drop outs.

Councillor Dan Rogerson, from the Peninsula Transport board, called the pilot a "major milestone" in its plans to modernise transport infrastructure across the South West and South Wales.

"It's not just about passenger WiFi," he said. "This is about a whole new digital backbone for our transport networks".

In May, South Western Railway launched its own, separate, "superfast" WiFi rollout for its trains between Earlsfield and Basingstoke, using trackside poles and antennas to create a bespoke 5G rail network.

The spread of on-board WiFi services, trackside wireless delivery and the increasing use of LEO satellites to boost connectivity will all be fully discussed at this year’s WiFi on Trains Conference, hosted by BWCS in London (www.Traincomms.com ).

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