ScotRail Superfast Internet

ScotRail set to trial superfast Internet on board from late 2017 until March 2018.

14:09 20 September 2017

Cisco, ScotRail, CGI, Network Rail Telecoms and Wittos are working together to offer train passengers up to 300Mbps. The project, will is financed by InnovateUK and RSSB, is called Project SWIFT and it will be trialed later this year until March 2018. If successful, it will be rolled out to other train companies in the UK.  

 

The project’s goals are to improve passenger connectivity as well as enable other services that can improve passenger experience. These include identifying which part of the train appears to be overcrowded and allowing passengers to use VoIP in mobile network blackspots. 

 

Scot Gardner, chief executive of Cisco UK & Ireland, said: "If the UK is to truly benefit from what digital technologies have to offer, then connectivity has to be a given – even when travelling at 140mph. If only a fraction of the time that we spend travelling is made more productive, the potential for commuters, the train companies and the UK as a whole is immense.”

 

Rob Shorthouse, ScotRail Alliance communications director added: “We are delighted to be a part of this project," "Our customers consistently tell us that one of the things that they expect on their journey is fast, reliable Wi-Fi.

 

"This pilot scheme, which we are undertaking on behalf of the entire rail industry, will allow us to fully understand how we take our current on-train WiFi to the next level. We are really excited to be involved.”