Public–private partnerships are proving pivotal in bridging the digital divide in rural railways, an ecosystem often overlooked in traditional broadband strategies. The England’s Connected Heartland (ECH) 5G Railway initiative exemplifies how local government coordination, national funding, and private-sector expertise can combine to deliver transformative rail connectivity. At its core, the Bicester–Bletchley 5G Rail Corridor, executed in partnership with AWTG as the private mobile network solution supplier, is setting a new standard for digital inclusion and industrial innovation along regional rail lines.
AWTG, recognised for its mobile private network (MPN) engineering capabilities, was selected through public procurement by Oxfordshire County Council to deliver 5G connectivity along the Bicester Village–Bletchley stretch, part of the East West Rail project. This effort extends far beyond passenger Wi-Fi; the project delivers connectivity for IoT-enabled services, offloads operational data, and powers trackside communities, businesses, and farms, driving multiple revenue streams beyond public funding.
The collaboration has already delivered measurable results. In June this year, AWTG led a high‑speed validation of the 5G railway network at Millbrook Proving Ground. The private 5G network, deployed along the test track, achieved exceptional throughput of more than 500 Mbps at train-like speeds far outperforming typical UK public mobile networks, which average around 60 Mbps. These trials provided critical insights into deployment performance under realistic operational conditions and demonstrated the potential of tailored private networks for rail environments.
Beyond the numbers, ECH’s approach aspires to be replicable.
AWTG and partners have developed a modular, energy-efficient small-cell infrastructure designed for rural and high-speed environments. The ECH 5G Railway Project was also shortlisted for the Industrial Innovation Award at Connected Britain 2025, underscoring its role in digitally transforming transport and rural infrastructure.
Looking ahead, the ambition extends well beyond this single corridor. Plans are underway to densify the network from Oxford through Bicester and Bletchley to Milton Keynes, Bedford, and eventually Cambridge creating seamless, end-to-end 5G coverage along the East West Rail axis. This would represent a significant leap in digital equity, enabling connected mobility across the broader Oxford–Cambridge corridor.
This initiative embodies how public–private partnerships can expedite innovation in challenging settings. Funded by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and delivered through ECH’s local authority consortium, AWTG’s role as technology and delivery partner exemplifies how private expertise can translate public ambition into scalable, high-impact infrastructure. Together, they’re not only enhancing rail passenger experience but also empowering trackside communities and setting a template for future digital infrastructure projects nationwide.
Find out more about the 5G Railway project here.