{"id":289788,"date":"2025-11-17T06:05:13","date_gmt":"2025-11-17T06:05:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/289788\/"},"modified":"2025-11-17T06:05:13","modified_gmt":"2025-11-17T06:05:13","slug":"formula-1-tech-used-to-improve-train-wi-fi-on-gwr","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/289788\/","title":{"rendered":"Formula 1 tech used to improve train Wi-Fi on GWR"},"content":{"rendered":"

Laura CressTechnology reporter<\/p>\n

\"GWRGWR<\/p>\n

Some of the Great Western Railway fleet will use a hybrid system including low earth orbit satellites in space to create a more-reliable wi-fi connection<\/p>\n

A new UK-first pilot scheme is aiming to create fast and more reliable train wi-fi, using technology originally developed for Formula 1 cars.<\/p>\n

It will see a train in the Great Western Railway fleet use a hybrid system of both signals from mobile phone masts on the ground and low earth orbit (LEO) satellites in space to create a more reliable connection.<\/p>\n

The scheme has been developed by British tech company Motion Applied, in partnership with the transport body for Cornwall, Devon, Plymouth, Somerset and Torbay, Peninsula Transport.<\/p>\n

The pilot will last for 60 days onboard GWR’s Intercity Express Train which runs in the South West region, having started in mid-November.<\/p>\n

In a recent study by networking testing firm Ookla<\/a>, the UK ranked 16th out of 18 major European and Asian countries for train wi-fi speed, with average download speeds at just 1.09 megabits per second, compared to Sweden’s 64.58.<\/p>\n

Nick Fry, chairman of Motion Applied<\/a>, formerly part of McLaren Group, said the issues faced in connecting to the internet from a fast moving train had “many parallels with motorsport”.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

In the 2025 spending review, the Department of Transport secured \u00a341m to introduce low earth orbit satellite connectivity on all mainline trains by 2030.<\/p>\n

‘A step in the right direction’<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

“It’s not just about passenger wi-fi,” he said. “This is about a whole new digital backbone for our transport networks”.<\/p>\n

Bruce Williamson from the campaign group Railfuture told the BBC the scheme appeared to be “really good news”.<\/p>\n

“We’re all increasingly connected these days, and wi-fi has become more and more of an essential service for travellers. I’m not going to hold my breath, but this is a step in the right direction.”<\/p>\n

In May, South Western Railway launched its own, separate, “superfast” wi-fi rollout for its trains between Earlsfield and Basingstoke, using trackside poles and antennas to create a bespoke 5G rail network.<\/p>\n

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