20.08.18
Government calls for companies to take part in 5G TransPennine pilot
The government is inviting companies to take part in a new 5G project on the TransPennine Railway line between Leeds and Manchester.
The Trans Pennine Initiative (TPI), part of the government’s Northern Powerhouse plans, aims to test ways of providing high quality passenger connectivity to trains using trackside infrastructure, including addressing issues related to access, processes and costs.
It is hoped that it will assist in developing the Department for Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport’s plans of main line rail routes to have uninterrupted mobile coverage and guaranteed Wi-Fi.
Companies that take part in the trial will be given the chance to deploy their trial radio equipment on the pilot route without the need to invest in trackside infrastructure, benefit from financial support for installation activities on the route, and make use of a new 5G facility at Melton Mowbray where new technologies can be tested.
Minister for digital Margot James said: “The importance of fast, reliable and uninterrupted connectivity on our rail network is only going to increase. Projects like the TransPennine Initiative will be instrumental in delivering this for passengers, and are all part of our commitment to make the UK a world leader in 5G.”
The closing date for comments to be submitted is noon 14 September. Responses to the call for information should be sent to: [email protected].
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Image credit: Guirong Hao