Deutsche Bahn Initiates High-Speed Internet Trials on Train Services

Deutsche Bahn tests 5G infrastructure for high-speed internet on trains, enhancing passenger connectivity and supporting rail digitalization.

 

Deutsche Bahn, in collaboration with network equipment provider Ericsson, telecommunications provider O2 Telefónica, and radio mast operator Vantage Towers, has embarked on the Gigabit Innovation Track (GINT) research project to establish 5G corridors along its railway tracks, heralding a new era of high-speed internet connectivity for train passengers in Germany. This initiative has seen the deployment and testing of new radio masts, designed for rapid construction, enabling the project to progress significantly within just eight months of receiving BMDV funding notice.

A demonstration of this technology's potential is already in place, with a ten-kilometre test route in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania now offering high-speed internet services to train passengers. This development is part of Germany's broader ambition to enhance digital connectivity and make train travel a more appealing option for passengers, by providing seamless high-speed internet access.

The Federal Minister for Digital Affairs and Transport, Dr. Volker Wissing, lauded the project's swift progress, emphasizing the importance of rapid network expansion to meet the connectivity expectations of passengers in Germany.

Furthermore, this infrastructure project is not only aimed at improving passenger experience but also at supporting the digitalization of rail operations through the Future Rail Mobile Communication System (FRMCS). The design of the new masts allows for shared use by the rail and mobile communications industries, facilitating advancements in both mobile connectivity for passengers and digital capabilities for railway operations.

DB board member for digitalization and technology, Dr. Daniela Gerd tom Markotten, expressed the goal of making trains a more comfortable and connected environment for travelers, likening it to a rolling office or home cinema. The GINT project exemplifies Deutsche Bahn's commitment to accelerating the digitalization of rail transport, promising a future where trains offer not just a mode of transport but a seamlessly connected travel experience.