Major UK Train Routes to Eliminate Mobile Signal Blackspots by 2028

A new initiative, Project Reach, aims to eliminate mobile signal blackspots on major UK train routes by 2028. The project follows a partnership between the Department for Transport (DfT), Network Rail, and telecom companies Neos Networks and Freshwave. Starting in 2026, Neos Networks will install 621 miles of ultra-fast fibre optic cables along major routes like the East Coast Main Line and West Coast Main Line, with plans to expand to 3,107 miles in the future. Freshwave will focus on enhancing signal in 57 tunnels, including key ones like Chipping Sodbury and Gasworks. The agreement also includes investments in 4G and 5G infrastructure at major railway stations such as Birmingham New Street, King’s Cross, and Paddington. This deal, expected to save taxpayers around £300 million, is a major step towards improving connectivity across the UK, benefiting both passengers and the broader goals of economic growth and digital innovation. The Department for Transport sees this as a significant improvement to rail services, ensuring better journeys for passengers while tackling connectivity issues that have long been a source of frustration.