Deutsche Bahn Enhances Mobile Connectivity on Trains

The Deutsche Bahn has announced a significant improvement in mobile phone reception on its trains, following the upgrade of radio modules across its fleet. This upgrade has freed up a mobile frequency that is expected to enhance connectivity for passengers traveling by train.

As part of this initiative, approximately 10,000 locomotives, multiple units, and control cars have had their existing GSM-R radio technology replaced with more robust modules. Since December 15, 2024, only trains equipped with this updated technology have been allowed to operate.

Previously, the older radio modules used a frequency close to the 900 MHz range, which overlaps with public mobile communication networks. This overlap resulted in communication disturbances for the railway service, limiting the effective use of mobile networks along the rail routes. The recent upgrades have addressed this issue, allowing mobile network operators to implement their services along the rail corridors without interference.

Marcel de Groot, the CEO of Vodafone Germany, stated that the transition to interference-resistant railway communication technology allows for improved mobile network coverage inside trains. However, challenges remain, including the high volume of users competing for the same network resources, the speed of the trains, and signal attenuation caused by the train cars themselves, which may still affect reception quality.

The upgrade was significantly supported by the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV), which allocated EUR95 million for the project. Federal Minister Volker Wissing emphasized that this project is a key component of the Gigabit Strategy, which aims to ensure modern mobile network standards are accessible across the country by 2030.

According to the BMDV, improvements in mobile reception have been particularly notable on specific routes, such as Berlin to Halle (Saale), Nürnberg to Augsburg, and Hannover to Hamburg. This year, an additional 10,000 kilometers of railway are set to receive enhanced mobile coverage through increased transmission power at various mobile sites and the installation of LTE technology in the 900 MHz band.

Moreover, the Deutsche Bahn has initiated a project to enhance signal reception within ICE trains by applying a laser treatment to the windows. This treatment modifies the existing metal coating that was primarily intended for thermal insulation, improving the passage of mobile signals. Future plans include the installation of more signal-permeable windows to further enhance connectivity.