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Denmark in Break-Through, Government Scheme to Improve On-Train Reception
(29 Sep 2016, BWCS Staff)The Danish government is to pour DKKr100 million (€13.4 million) into improving mobile and internet connections on trains. In a break-through scheme, the money will be used to expand rail administrator Banedanmark’s national network of radio-masts at up to 75 track-side locations.
Announcing the investment, Transport and Construction Minister, Hans Christian Schmidt, said “I am very pleased that we have now started a project to improve mobile and Internet penetration in our trains. I know that many people - especially commuters - spend time on the train to work, and a more stable internet be a great help for many who use the train as a workplace.”
The project to improve internet coverage on the trains in Denmark has involved close collaboration between DSB, Arriva, Banedanmark, Telia, TDC Group, Telenor and the telecommunications company 3. After some tough and lengthy negotiations, initially facilitated by a team from BWCS, the parties have finally agreed a common solution and way forward acceptable to all.
According to Chris Butler Donnelly from BWCS “Getting the initial agreement of all parties was key to moving this scheme forward. While it was clearly in everyone’s interests to reach an agreement, it took some hard work behind the scenes to hammer out a way forward that was agreeable to all. We are delighted to have played a part in bringing this plan to fruition.”
In particular, the national train operator is working with the mobile communications companies to install repeaters in the carriages, allowing better signal penetration. In addition, the disparate parties are close to agreeing on where and how to expand the trackside mast network at up to 75 new locations.
The double benefit of new masts and enhanced in-train reception should lead to a noticeable improvement in connectivity for passengers with a more stable signal and fewer outages. The work is expected to be completed by 2019.
According to many commentators, this is the first example of such government–backed close collaboration between the main parties involved in supplying WiFi services for trains. It remains to be seen if other countries around the world will follow the example.
The problem of how to improve trackside coverage was one of the main topics addressed at the recent WiFi on Trains Conference hosted by BWCS in London. There were several new announcements made during the Conference, all of which can be found at www.Traincomms2016.com .
For more information about next year’s Conference, including speaking and sponsoring opportunities, please contact Ross.Parsons@BWCS.com .
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