Ofcom study finds widespread mobile signal problems on UK trains
Mobile phone and internet connectivity on Britain’s railways remains poor for many passengers, according to new research published by the communications regulator Ofcom.
image: Shutterstock
The study, conducted for Ofcom by connectivity mapping company Streetwave, examined mobile performance across 24 sections of railway lines in England, Scotland and Wales. It found that mobile networks failed to meet Ofcom’s benchmark for “good performance” in between 58% and 83% of tests, depending on the operator.
The regulator defines good performance as download speeds of at least 5 megabits per second, upload speeds of 1.5Mbps and latency of no more than 50 milliseconds, a level considered sufficient for activities such as video calls, streaming and social media use.
Among the four national operators assessed, EE achieved the highest proportion of successful results, meeting the benchmark on 42% of rail segments measured. Three recorded 21%, O2 20%, and Vodafone 17%.
Ofcom said the findings demonstrate that many rail passengers continue to experience unreliable connectivity during journeys. The regulator attributed the problem partly to weak trackside mobile coverage and the difficulty signals can have penetrating some train carriage designs.
The research also assessed onboard Wi-Fi services provided by train operators. According to Ofcom, these services met its performance standard only around 1% of the time. The regulator said outdated technology and speed restrictions were major factors behind the poor results.
Separate reporting on the study identified significant variations between routes. The line between Basingstoke and Coventry was highlighted as one of the weakest-performing corridors, while the route between London Victoria and East Croydon recorded some of the strongest mobile coverage.
Alongside the rail study, Ofcom published a broader report, Connectivity You Can Count On, which calls for coordinated action to improve mobile service nationwide. The regulator pointed to planned investment commitments by network operators, reforms to planning processes for telecommunications infrastructure, and potential technological solutions including satellite connectivity and spectrum sharing. It also said government involvement would be needed to address persistent rail connectivity problems.
Natalie Black, Ofcom’s Group Director for Infrastructure and Connectivity, said people “rightly expect connectivity they can count on” and that delivering it would require a “joined-up national effort” involving industry, government and local authorities.
Industry groups have argued that maintaining reliable mobile coverage on moving trains presents particular technical challenges. Mobile UK, which represents the major network operators, said rail routes pose “unique structural and capacity challenges” and called for supportive regulatory policies and additional investment to address trackside coverage gaps.
The government has already signalled interest in improving onboard connectivity, including exploring the use of satellite technology and fibre infrastructure in tunnels and other signal blackspots.