Avanti West Coast invests £45 million into WiFi coverage along route

Rail operator, Avanti West Coast, has partnered with BT to boost WiFi coverage for passengers travelling on the West Coast Mainline between the London, the North-west and Scotland.

The £45 million deal will see BT add network capacity to 200 4G mobile phone network masts that will enable faster and more reliable on-board WiFi on Avanti’s trains, as well as address signal blackspots along the route.

In addition to BT’s infrastructure upgrades, Avanti West Coast will also upgrade the on-board WiFi system on its trains. A significant refurbishment programme is already underway on the rail operator’s Pendolino fleet.

The improvements will also bring faster mobile internet speeds to people living alongside the railway’s route. Passengers travelling on Avanti services from Stockport to London Euston will see benefits to on-board WiFi and mobile coverage when passing through Cheshire and Staffordshire, with regions of Lancashire, Cumbria, Merseyside and Scotland also to benefit.

Rail Minister, Chris Heaton-Harris, said:

“Avanti West Coast’s upgrade work, supported by the Department for Transport, is a win for everyone who uses, or lives close to the West Coast Main Line.

“Investing in better connectivity helps transform rail travel, improving journeys for passengers by building a black-spot free network, with the added benefit of supporting local communities.”

Phil Whittingham, Managing Director at Avanti West Coast, said:

This is a really exciting partnership with BT. The benefits of working with the UK’s leading telecommunications and network provider on this project will enhance reliability of our onboard Wi-Fi and give our customers faster speeds and extended coverage on our route.

“It’s a significant step towards better digital connectivity on the West Coast Main Line, which has never been more important. These improvements will enable our customers to stay connected during their journey and be more productive onboard our trains, while boosting mobile coverage for communities local to our route.”

Sarah Walker, BT Corporate and Public Sector Director and Enterprise Sponsor for UK Rail Strategy, said:

“The West Coast Main Line is one of the UK’s busiest transport routes and, as more people begin returning to offices and others travel for leisure purposes, they will enjoy an enhanced mobile service, delivering quality and reliable connectivity whilst onboard.

“Whether needing to join a call for work, listen to music or simply browse the internet, our network has been designed to ensure seamless connectivity for passengers. Not only will the investment in 4G infrastructure benefit rail users, but it will also improve connectivity in towns and villages where masts have been installed or upgraded.”