The initiative aims to boost Wi‑Fi on trains from about half of services today to roughly 90% over the coming years, addressing patchy connections and cellular dead zones.

A pilot in the South West with Great Western Railway began in late 2025, with ongoing pilots expanding as part of the broader rollout.

Project Reach partners with Neos Networks for fiber, Freshwave for tunnel improvements, and various network operators to enhance on-site 4G/5G coverage.

Funding includes about 57 million pounds for on-board connectivity, with 12 million pounds earmarked for the West and South West regions where pilots are active.

Satellite-based connectivity will supplement cellular networks, filling gaps in underserved areas and along routes with weak mobile signal.

This effort is part of a wider government program, Project Reach, targeting 5,000 km of fiber deployment, tunnel blackspot mitigation, and 4G/5G investments at major stations.

The plan envisions equipping up to 1,400 trains with satellite equipment to access low Earth orbit constellations, improving connectivity for commuters.