Formula 1 technology to boost train Wi-Fi speeds tested in UK pilot

A new UK-first pilot aims to dramatically improve Wi-Fi on trains by deploying a hybrid connectivity system that blends ground-based mobile signals with low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. Developed by Motion Applied in collaboration with Peninsula Transport, the scheme will be trialed on a Great Western Railway Intercity Express Train for 60 days in the South West. The project borrows technology from Formula 1 engineering to help trains switch seamlessly between ground networks and space-based links, reducing coverage gaps and dropouts for passengers. The move follows a 2025 spending review that allocated £41 million to introduce LEO satellite connectivity on mainline trains by 2030. Industry voices describe the pilot as a significant step toward modernizing digital infrastructure on rail networks, noting that reliable on-board connectivity extends beyond passenger use to broader transport digital backbones. Separately, South Western Railway announced its own rapid Wi-Fi rollout using trackside poles to create a dedicated 5G rail network. The broader aim is to close gaps in connectivity and support more reliable, higher-speed connections for travellers across the UK.