Belgian railways abandon WiFi for costly mobile data upgrade

In Belgium, Belgian Railways has announced a significant shift in its approach to providing internet connectivity for passengers traveling on trains. The new plan, which has been revealed recently, involves enhancing 4G and potentially 5G connectivity rather than relying on WiFi installations. This decision comes after Mobility Minister Georges Gilkinet highlighted the substantial costs associated with connecting all trains to WiFi, estimated at €160 million, with ongoing annual expenses projected at €13 million. Instead, the government is investing €40 million to implement improvements that will enhance mobile signal quality on trains by modifying the window coatings. The existing window coatings, while beneficial for keeping the train cool, have been known to block phone signals, causing frustration for passengers trying to stay connected during their travels. By adjusting these coatings, the goal is to strengthen mobile signals, which is expected to enable faster email deliveries by around 15% and improve battery life for devices as they will not have to expend as much energy searching for a signal. This modification is part of an overarching effort to modernize train travel in Belgium and to make digital connectivity a priority for railway users. Currently, the topic of WiFi availability on trains is still under discussion, especially considering that many international and Dutch trains continue to offer this service. The CEO of Belgian Railways, Sophie Dutordoir, expressed that offering WiFi would be prohibitively expensive under the current financial framework, thus necessitating a pivot toward enhancing mobile connectivity instead. As the upgrades are rolled out, adjustments will occur alongside the major repairs of older train models and during the production of new ones. The announcement illustrates a growing trend among rail operators to rethink connectivity solutions in the face of escalating costs and technological advancements. As Belgian Railways transitions to this model, it opens the door for discussions about how mobile networks can serve the needs of citizens more effectively while managing budgets and expenditures wisely. In this context, enhancing phone signal quality on trains represents a substantial movement toward embracing modern communication solutions that can keep pace with the digital expectations of the traveling public.