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<p>In general under the Department’s National Rail Contracts and Service Contracts,
wifi quality standards are for train operators to determine. <strong> </strong>In
2020, the Department commissioned Transport Focus to undertake research of the availability
and quality of internet and voice connectivity available to passengers. This provided
a snapshot of the comparative performance.</p><p>The choice of mobile operator(s)
– used to provide the mobile connection between the on-train wifi systems and the
internet – and the coverage and technology (3G, 4G or 5G) that is available serving
the rail corridor can vary considerably by individual route and region. SWR are developing
superfast 5G Wi-Fi technology, which will be installed between Earlsfield and Basingstoke
in 2024. This superfast trackside solution will be fully integrated with their existing
on-board Wi-Fi service, delivering an enhanced connectivity solution for SWR mainline
passengers.</p><p>We continue to work closely with Network Rail to improve connectivity
on the rail corridor and Project Reach is a Network Rail led transaction seeking private
sector investment in rail telecoms.</p>
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