Ofcom Releases Report on Poor Connectivity on Trains

Key Takeaways

• EE achieved good mobile performance on 42% of train tests.
• Rural and intercity routes showed the poorest connectivity.
• On‑board Wi‑Fi met good‑performance threshold only 1% of time.
• SWR’s 5G mmWave Wi‑Fi reached 83% good performance on one segment.
• LEO satellite trials aim to close the rail connectivity gap.

Pulse Analysis

The Ofcom‑commissioned Streetwave study provides the most systematic snapshot of rail‑borne connectivity in the UK to date. By logging 50 trips across 24 lines during February‑March 2026, the report quantified a stark reality: mobile signals were deemed poor on up to 83% of measurements, and Wi‑Fi barely cleared the good‑performance bar once in a hundred attempts. EE emerged as the relative leader, achieving acceptable speeds on 42% of tests, while O2, Three and Vodafone lagged between 17% and 21%. Latency, driven by weak signal penetration inside train carriages, was the primary culprit, especially on rural and intercity services.

Operators are already experimenting with next‑generation technologies to overcome these limitations. South Western Railway’s deployment of 5G millimetre‑wave (mmWave) Wi‑Fi, which can exceed 1 Gbps, delivered an 83% good‑performance rate on the Earlsfield‑to‑Basingstoke segment, showcasing the potential of trackside ultra‑high‑frequency links. Meanwhile, GWR, ScotRail and other franchises are piloting low‑earth‑orbit (LEO) satellite back‑haul, leveraging constellations such as Starlink and Amazon’s Project Kuiper to provide consistent coverage even in tunnels. The convergence of 5G Standalone rollouts, leaky‑feeder cabling and LEO connectivity promises a hybrid solution that could finally meet passenger expectations for seamless, high‑speed internet on the move.

For the rail industry, the stakes are both commercial and regulatory. Reliable connectivity underpins emerging revenue streams—from on‑board advertising to real‑time passenger analytics—and satisfies government commitments to digital inclusion. As network operators accelerate 5G SA deployments and satellite partnerships, the competitive landscape will shift, rewarding those who can integrate these layers efficiently. The Ofcom report, while a snapshot, serves as a catalyst for investment, urging stakeholders to prioritize infrastructure upgrades before consumer frustration translates into lost ridership and diminished brand equity.