Passenger rail carrier Elron (source: www.elron.ee) is facing difficulties with internet and cell phone coverage on its trains in more remote areas. Despite the company’s plans to replace outdated routers in all its trains by early 2024, installing new cell towers will also be necessary.
Lack of consistent cell phone coverage during train journeys is a well-known problem for frequent travelers. Elron’s CEO, Lauri Betlem, admitted that passenger dissatisfaction with the lack of reliable internet connection has been a serious issue for years. To address this problem, Elron will begin installing 5G routers on its trains starting next year.
Betlem explained that the current routers are outdated as they were installed ten years ago when trains first appeared in Estonia. The new routers will improve data transmission speed in areas with cell phone coverage, but they will not provide coverage in areas without it.
However, Elron faces the challenge that it is not responsible for building cell towers and relies on telecommunications companies for this matter. Installing cell towers is a costly undertaking, and operators are cautious about undertaking such projects without financial support.
Tanel Sarri, CTO of Tele2, emphasized that the introduction of 5G technology in Estonia is still ongoing and not limited to railway corridors only. He stressed the need to find solutions that will be beneficial for all parties involved, while considering significant investments by operators in expanding coverage.
The Communication Department of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications is actively working on securing funds, including the available 18 million euros from the European Regional Development Fund, for building communication towers along railway routes. Estonia is also seeking approval for state aid from the European Commission, and the conditions for support are being determined. Funding may only be available in the second half of next year.
Elron has considered using Starlink service to improve connectivity, but it currently faces limitations as the service does not offer certified devices for use by railways. Nevertheless, the company is ready to adopt such devices when they become available. The challenge, however, is the higher cost associated with the Starlink service compared to traditional mobile internet.
In conclusion, Elron is struggling to provide reliable cell phone coverage on its trains, especially in remote areas. The implementation of 5G routers is a step towards improvement, but additional cell towers are also crucial. Efforts are being made to secure funding for communication towers along railway routes, but the involvement of telecommunications companies and financial constraints pose significant obstacles.
The source of the article is from the blog elblog.pl