The UK's Train Wi-Fi Among Europe's Worst

Wi-Fi connectivity on UK trains ranks among Europe's poorest. Passengers have found various ways to cope with the poor connection. Journalists tested wi-fi quality on the route between Norwich and London.

UK train wi-fi quality falls significantly short in comparison with other European countries, ranking among the continent's worst. Journalists tested internet speed and stability on the route between Norwich and London to establish how easy it is for passengers to connect while travelling by train.

Poor connectivity becomes a daily problem

Test results showed that the connection frequently drops, speeds are inconsistent, and reliable video conferencing or downloading large files cannot be depended upon. This has become an everyday problem for many, particularly those who work while travelling by train.

Passengers have found various ways to manage: some use mobile data from their smartphones to create a hotspot, others download the necessary content before the journey. It is also common to bring work that does not require a constant internet connection.

Other European countries are ahead

Compared with other European countries, such as France, Germany and the Nordic countries, the UK's train wi-fi infrastructure has fallen noticeably behind. The age of the railway network and a lack of investment are the main reasons why the implementation of upgrades is slow.

Train operators have promised to improve the situation, but passengers are accustomed to repeated promises and do not trust that significant change will come soon. For now, they must make do with the current state of affairs and seek alternative solutions.