The BBC recently conducted a crowdsourcing exercise to measure the coverage of the UK's mobile broadband networks. Amongst other things, the results showed that 3G coverage along the railways was particularly poor. This is not, perhaps, that surprising because:

• Rail carriages are made of metal and many have metalised windows to cut down on glare from the sun on bright days. Being inside a metal 'Faraday' cage is not the best place to receive radio signals.
• Many railway lines run through relatively deep cuttings where steep banks either side of the track stop signals getting into the trains.
• Many more run through remote rural areas where 3G coverage does not (and may never) reach.
• With upwards of 500 people on some trains, the load that the users place on the mobile network can be enough to stretch the cell through which the passengers are travelling to breaking point.

These issues have long been understood and some train operators are now taking steps to try and provide their passengers with better broadband connectivity. Chiltern trains has recently launched a 'premium economy' carriage in which, for an additional £20 per journey, passengers can enjoy free WiFi connectivity. Chiltern are not alone in this respect: many train operators including Virgin and East Coast provide WiFi in their first class carriages.

The technology is relatively straightforward. Place an aerial on top of the train and use this to connect to 3G networks (overcoming the problems of metal carriages and deep cuttings) and then re-distribute the 3G broadband connection throughout the carriage using WiFi. Connecting to multiple 3G networks means both that faster speeds can be obtained, and also that advantage can be taken of the different coverage footprints that the networks provide.

Helios is supporting the Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) with understanding the technology and commercial challenges that providing connectivity to trains raises. A roadmapping exercise we conducted for RSSB last year recognised the value of broadband connectivity both to passengers and train operators, and set the agenda for the ongoing work within the industry.

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and myself will be at the 'Rail: Value for Money' conference on 17 November in London. Get in touch if you would like to meet at the event.

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Spectrum & Telecoms Director
Tel: +44 1252 451 686
http://uk.linkedin.com/in/rvwomersley

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