This project is focused on delivering connected trackside private 5G along East West Rail, a new section of rail network under construction between Bicester and Bletchley.
Our 5G Railway project is delivering trackside private 5G connectivity along East West Rail, between Bicester Village and Bletchley.
The project aims to improve passenger Wi-Fi whilst providing a connectivity solution for neighbouring businesses, farms, and isolated homes in not-spots along the route. The project will demonstrate a new commercial model for funding trackside mobile infrastructure serving not just trains but adjacent communities too.
5G offers significant advantages for the rail industry, including improved passenger connectivity via onboard Wi-Fi and the capability to offload data collected onboard trains for operational efficiency. Internet of Things (IoT) devices collecting data onboard trains such as sensors, cameras, payment machines, and more can contribute to operational efficiency.
5G use cases for the rail industry
- Passenger WiFi
- Automatic passenger counting
- Public announcements
- On board passenger safety and CCTV
- Electronic timetables
- Point of sale terminals
- Self-service screens
- WiFi for stations, including cafes and pop-up services
5G use cases for trackside neighbours
- Wireless CCTV for security
- Crop and weather sensors
- Agritech drones
- Agritech robots
- Street light controls
- Flood sensors
- Fixed Wireless Access for rural business centres and homes
This project will enable us to showcase benefits, such as the examples provided above, as use-cases, which combine income generated by multiple possible revenue streams. These diverse revenue streams will lessen the reliance on public subsidy and maximise the benefits of the network.
This project will showcase the benefits of a 5G Mobile Private Network to train operating companies on this kind of regional rail line, enabling them to explore benefits before investing. The ECH projects are also documenting a common set of requirements so that the projects can be replicable throughout the region, and the UK.
The project aims to:
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- Raise awareness and generate demand for private 5G networks in the rail industry.
- Address the challenges posed by technical and commercial aspects of improving train passenger connectivity.
- Explore how rail connectivity could offer a route to connectivity for rural not-spots.
- Develop a sustainable and scalable funding model for rail connectivity.
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