Superfast 5G Wifi on Trains

FirstGroup and Blu Wireless to provide superfast 5G WiFi on trains.

16:26 28 February 2019

FirstGroup and Blue Wireless are set to become the pioneers in the use of 5G technology on the railway.  Working with strategic partners including Network Rail, the Department for Transport and the Department for Culture Media and Sport, they aim to provide a fast and reliable WiFi service that enables reliable streaming, rapid browsing and connectivity to cloud-based applicadtions like Office 365.

 

 

Mark Barrett, CMO of Blu Wireless, added: “This partnership will revolutionise commuter connectivity in an innovative and economical way. The system is based on Blu Wireless’s unique ‘mmWave’ communication technology which does not require the hugely complex and expensive infrastructure of cellular systems. We believe that the combination of gigabit grade data rate with cost-effective and low power operation will be instrumental in delivering FirstGroup’s customers with best in class on train Wi-Fi services.”

 

 

Hugh Clancy, First Rail’s commercial director said: “I’d like to thank the many suppliers and partners who are making this project successful, especially the Department for Transport; we are working together to deliver a giant leap forward for our customers. With the ongoing support of Network Rail, this project will see South Western Railway become the UK’s first 5G railway”

 

 

Henry Nurser, CEO of Blu Wireless commented: “We are proud to be working with our partners to deliver such an innovative solution to rail customers in the UK and beyond – a solution that has been developed and championed by British Government and industry leaders.”