A groundbreaking partnership between Network Rail, Neos Networks, and Freshwave has been launched to address the worst signal blackspots along Britain’s major rail routes.
This collaborative effort marks the most significant enhancement to the country’s rail telecommunications infrastructure in recent decades, promising improved connectivity for millions of passengers and laying the foundation for a new high-capacity telecoms network that will support the future ambitions of Great British Railways and the nation’s broader digital economy.
“This partnership marks a significant step forward in improving the UK’s rail infrastructure. By enhancing connectivity and addressing signal blackspots, we are ensuring that passengers experience a more reliable and efficient service. This initiative not only benefits rail users but also supports our broader goals of economic growth and digital innovation,” said Heidi Alexander, Secretary of State for Transport.
Initially, Neos Networks will deploy 1,000km of ultrafast fibre optic cable along key routes including the East Coast Main Line from King’s Cross to Newcastle, the Chiltern Main Line, the West Coast Main Line to Manchester, and the Great Western Main Line from London to Cardiff. There is an ambition to expand this network beyond 5,000km in the future.
“I’m delighted that we have now signed this innovative deal with our partners Neos Networks and Freshwave. This investment model will deliver the necessary upgrades to our telecoms infrastructure faster whilst offering significant value-for-money for the taxpayer and stimulating wider economic benefits across the country,” said Jeremy Westlake, Network Rail’s chief financial officer. “As we move towards becoming a unified railway with the formation of Great British Railways, the enhanced telecoms infrastructure will play a key role in our ambition to provide a data-driven railway of the future, delivering better connectivity and a better, more reliable train service for our passengers.”
Freshwave will initially focus on installing mobile infrastructure to eliminate signal blackspots in 57 tunnels and deep cuttings along the same major lines, including notable tunnels such as Chipping Sodbury near Bristol and Gasworks and Copenhagen tunnels outside King’s Cross. The company will also work with mobile network operators to upgrade 12 key stations with new 4G and 5G infrastructure, with the first installations expected to commence in 2026.
The upgraded network, which will expand from 48 to 432 high-count fibre cables, will enable Network Rail to monitor assets more effectively and support the deployment of new technologies such as trackside sensors and CCTV, enhancing safety and operational efficiency. The project’s innovative commercial approach combines public and private investment, expected to save taxpayers around £300 million while delivering substantial benefits to rail users.
Neos Networks, supported by Infracapital and SSE, will deploy high-capacity fibre along the tracks, utilising spare fibre capacity to upgrade critical telecoms infrastructure and create a resilient digital backbone supporting the UK’s broader digital ambitions. Lee Myall, CEO of Neos Networks, highlighted the company’s commitment to supporting Britain’s critical infrastructure and fostering innovation through enhanced connectivity.
This ambitious project exemplifies a collaborative approach to modernising Britain’s rail infrastructure, bringing together public and private sectors to deliver a smarter, more connected railway for the future.
