Network Rail, Freshwave and Neos Networks have formed a new partnership to eliminate signal blackspots along Britain’s rail network.
The partnership will see the three companies come together to provide a substantial upgrade to Britain’s rail telecoms infrastructure.
Initially, Neos Network will be tasked with the deployment of 1,000 kilometres of ultrafast, high-count fibre optic cable, which will be laid along lengths of the East Coast Main Line, the Chiltern Main Line and a section of the West Coast Main Line. This will be provided in return for commercialising spare fibre, creating a high-performance digital connectivity backbone for businesses.
The three companies have stated that there is also ambition to grow the network beyond 5,000 kilometres in the future.
Lee Myall, CEO of Neos Networks, said:Neos has a long-standing commitment to supporting Britain’s critical infrastructure, offering the most reliable and secure networks to our customers. We are thrilled to collaborate with Network Rail in modernising the UK’s infrastructure, paving the way for the country’s digital future.
Connectivity has become the cornerstone of innovation. The increasing demand for data centre capacity and the unprecedented growth in AI-driven data demands are pushing the boundaries of existing infrastructure. 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.
Freshwave will deploy new mobile infrastructure to tackle signal blackspots in 57 tunnels and associated deep cuttings along the East Coast, West Coast and Great Western Main Lines, including the 4km-long Chipping Sodbury tunnel near Bristol and Gasworks and Copenhagen tunnels outside King’s Cross.
The company will work closely with mobile network operators (MNOs) to invest in new 4G/5G infrastructure at 12 Network Rail main-line stations 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, with the first installation of mobile infrastructure expected to begin in 2026.
The enhanced network will allow Network Rail to monitor railway assets more effectively, as well as enable the rollout of new technologies necessitating stronger connectivity, including trackside sensors and CCTV applications.
Simon Frumkin, CEO of Freshwave, said:We’re delighted to be working with Network Rail and the mobile network operators to enhance mobile connectivity in some of the country’s busiest railway stations and main line tunnels.
This will benefit millions of passengers and station staff across the UK. Investment in infrastructure is an investment in the country’s future and, as Freshwave’s Mobile Connectivity ROI Index indicated, billions of pounds could be added to the UK economy with enhanced indoor mobile connectivity.
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.“
As we move towards becoming a unified railway with the formation of Great British Railways, the enhanced telecoms infrastructure will play a key role in our ambition to provide a data-driven railway of the future, delivering better connectivity and a better, more reliable train service for our passengers.
