News

February 6, 2020

A Plan of Action for Trackside Access to Improve Rail Connectivity is Required

railway carriage

Mobile UK welcomes a new report published by the NationalInfrastructure Commission called Connected Future: Getting back on track which calls on the Government to develop a plan of action for mobile connectivity across the UK’s transport networks. More specifically, the report also outlines the piecemeal approach and lack of action on opening up access to Network Rail’s trackside land.

The report also highlights good progress in extending coverage across the UK’s road network and the industry has plans with the Government as part of the Shared Rural Network to further extend on-road coverage to at least an additional 16,000km of road.

On railways, the report highlights the continuing difficulties faced by the industry accessing Network Rail land and the cancellation and piecemeal approach to testing new technologies that the Government has taken to improving railway connectivity. It is therefore welcome that the report focusses on a wider plan of action including the provision of trackside access to Network Rail assets, building lessons from active trials and the appointment of a ministerial lead.

Commenting on the National Infrastructure Commission’s report Connected Future: Getting Back on Track, Gareth Elliott, Head of Policy and Communications at Mobile UK, said:

“Providing a fully reliable mobile signal on the railways presents many challenges, most fundamental of which is getting access to Network Rail’s trackside land. We therefore welcome the NIC’s report Getting Back on Track and its call for a clear plan of action, in particular the need to put in place viable arrangements for third-party access to the trackside.”
  1. Mobile UK is the trade association for the UK’s mobile network operators - EE, O2,Three and Vodafone.
  2. The NIC's report Connected Future: Getting back on track can be found here.

About Building Mobile Britain

Building Mobile Britain logo

Building Mobile Britain is a campaign created by Mobile UK seeking to work with national and local government, as well as interested industry groups to overcome the challenges we face with expanding the existing mobile networks, while also developing innovative services for customers.

See here for further information - or #BuildingMobileBritain

Media Contacts

Gareth Elliott
Head of Policy and Communications
Tel: 07887 911 076
Email: press@mobileuk.org

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