Overview
- Kanishka Narayan told MPs the government’s ambition is higher‑quality standalone 5G in all populated areas by 2030.
- The government is working with Ofcom, the Department for Transport and others on a transport telecoms needs assessment due by December 2026.
- The Department for Transport has secured funding to equip all mainline trains with low‑Earth‑orbit satellite connectivity to improve Wi‑Fi availability and speeds.
- Project Reach will lay around 1,000 km of fibre on key lines and address blackspots in tunnels, with construction scheduled from 2026 to 2028.
- Planned upgrades also include 4G and 5G deployments at 12 major stations by 2028 and a tender aiming to retrofit the majority of mainline trains with LEO links by 2030.