Overview

• The Department for Transport has formalized partnerships with Network Rail, Neos Networks and Freshwave to deliver Project Reach
• Neos Networks will install 1,000 km of ultra-fast fibre optic cable along the East Coast, West Coast, Great Western and Chiltern main lines, with ambitions to expand beyond 5,000 km
• Freshwave will tackle connectivity gaps in 57 tunnels—covering nearly 50 km of track including the 4 km Chipping Sodbury tunnel near Bristol
• Mobile operators will invest in new 4G and 5G infrastructure at 12 major stations, from Birmingham New Street and Manchester Piccadilly to King’s Cross and London Waterloo
• Work is due to start next year and finish by 2028 in a public-private scheme set to enhance passenger connectivity and deliver around £300 million in savings for taxpayers