South Western Railway (SWR) has become the first train operator in Europe to roll out cutting-edge rail-5G Wi-Fi, offering internet speeds up to 20 times faster than the current average.
Passengers travelling between Earlsfield and Basingstoke can now enjoy ultra-fast, reliable connectivity across 70 kilometres of track—bringing the kind of speeds you’d expect at home or in the office, right to your train seat.
With this upgrade, customers can now:
- Stream HD movies and TV shows
- Make crystal-clear video calls
- Download large files in minutes
- Stay productive or entertained throughout their journey
Unlike traditional onboard Wi-Fi, which relies on mobile networks and often struggles with bandwidth in busy or remote areas, SWR’s rail-5G solution uses a dedicated trackside network. This system includes poles and antennas installed along the route and on trains, creating a high-speed, low-latency connection for both passengers and train operations.
This innovation was developed by FirstGroup’s rail technology team and follows a successful pilot on the Isle of Wight’s Island Line. Now, it’s being deployed on one of SWR’s busiest mainline routes, with more expansions planned soon.
To put the speed into perspective:
- A 5GB HD movie can be downloaded in just 4 minutes
- A full music album in under 10 seconds
- A 10-episode series in about 15 minutes
This is just the beginning of SWR’s broader mission to transform onboard connectivity and enhance the travel experience for both commuters and leisure travellers.
Peter Williams, Customer and Commercial Director for South Western Railway, commented:
“We’re thrilled that our customers travelling between Earlsfield and Basingstoke are the first to benefit from this unprecedented superfast Wi-Fi.
“Customers can now stream, download files, video call, and much more – without worrying about their connection.
“Whether travelling for work or leisure, having access to a strong and reliable internet connection will make their time on board more productive and enjoyable.
“We hope this will make travelling by train an even more attractive option, helping to get people out of cars and onto the rail network.”
David Statham, FirstGroup’s Rail Commercial Director, commented:
“Improving services for passengers through superfast and reliable connectivity – especially on-board Wi-Fi services – is a key step in rail becoming the transport mode of choice.
“The Rail-5G solution we have installed on SWR can dramatically improve connectivity on passenger trains and the technology allows passengers to have constant, uninterrupted and consistent internet 20 times the average speed of today’s mobile connection.”
“We are very excited to have completed the installation of the project with SWR and Network Rail and we are sure that customers travelling on this stretch of the network will notice a real difference.”
By delivering a better onboard experience and enabling passengers to stay productive while travelling, rail is being positioned as a more attractive choice for modern travellers. Research by Ipsos reveals that 41% of UK adults would be more inclined to choose the train over other transport options if fast, reliable onboard Wi-Fi were available.
The appeal is even stronger among younger generations:
- 64% of 16–24-year-olds
- 59% of 25–34-year-olds
say they’d be more likely to opt for rail travel under these improved connectivity conditions.
These findings highlight the growing importance of digital connectivity in shaping travel preferences and the potential for technology to drive a shift toward more sustainable transport options.
Image credit: iStock
