To what extent can existing rail and roadside infrastructure be used to support or deliver expanded mobile coverage across the UK? What innovative business models might promote improved coverage in road and rail corridors?

Background

For the deployment of current and future technologies, DI wishes to develop a stronger evidence base around the benefits of and barriers to their deployment, with a focus on the adoption of 5G and open network infrastructure to build the resilience of networks and support innovation. DI needs to develop models and techniques to understand efficient spectrum allocation and understand the issues surrounding the use of specific spectrum bands.
DI needs to better understand the trends around technological convergence, future demand for digital connectivity, regulation around access to the internet and emerging cloud services and their impact on security.
DI wishes to complement its understanding of current technology deployment with research into the work driving future technologies to develop and increase the UK’s future capabilities.
All of this needs to be underpinned by further research into the security and resilience of UK networks, addressing future developments and threats, gaining insight into the value of security interventions and barriers to investment in security.

Next steps

If you are keen to register your interest in working and connecting with DSIT Digital Technology and Telecoms Group and/or submitting evidence, then please complete the DSIT-ARI Evidence survey - https://dsit.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cDfmK2OukVAnirs.
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Source

This question was published as part of the set of ARIs in this document:

DSIT Areas of Research Interest 2024 GOV UK

Related UKRI funded projects


  • SAFRON: Safe Operational Radio Network for mixed-priority communications to trains using a shared architecture.

    The demand for train-to-track communications are proliferating; with in-cab signalling, passenger WiFi, remote CCTV, passenger counting, e-ticketing and remote condition monitoring (RCM), passenger information systems (P...

    Funded by: Innovate UK

    Why might this be relevant?

    The project focuses on improving mobile coverage for trains and addresses the need for shared communications architecture with priority, safety, and security.

  • Proof of Concept Study into a novel method for providing mobile phone network coverage on the London Underground

    The London Underground is one of the only metro systems in the world to remain without Mobile Phone network voice and data coverage in the tunnels. It has been estimated that the provision of full coverage on the network...

    Funded by: Innovate UK

    Why might this be relevant?

    The project proposes a novel method for providing mobile phone network coverage in the London Underground, which is relevant to the question but does not address rail and roadside infrastructure across the UK.

  • Vehicle Internet Links using Infra-Red transmission of Information (VILIRI)

    Only a third of passengers on the UK's railways seem happy with the wifi service they receive on the train. People increasingly expect free and reliable internet wherever they go and are frustrated that train journeys in...

    Funded by: Innovate UK

    Why might this be relevant?

    The project focuses on improving wifi services on UK railways using Optical Wireless Communications, which partially addresses the question but does not specifically target expanded mobile coverage across the UK.

  • TrialsNet: Trials supported by Smart Networks beyond 5G

    TrialsNet will deploy full large-scale trials to implement a heterogenous and comprehensive set of innovative 6G applications based on various technologies such as cobots, metaverse, massive twinning, Internet of Senses,...

    Funded by: Horizon Europe Guarantee

  • SWIFT - Superfast Wi-Fi In-carriage for Future Travel

    SWIFT will use high-speed in-carriage Wi-Fi to improve the passenger experience, enhance commercial opportunities and improve train management capabilities. Wi-Fi on trains is currently delivered using bonded mobile so...

    Funded by: Innovate UK

  • UK-India Future Networks Initiative

    In July 2024, the governments of UK and India announced the UK-India Technology Security Initiative (TSI)[1].   Pillar 1 of this TSI states that “the UK and India will build a new and enhanced Future Telecoms P...

    Funded by: ISPF

  • Developing a real-time mobile network data platform for connected transport.

    Citi Logik, an SME that analyzes aggregated and anonymised journey paths from the existing mobile phone network, is proposing to develop a repeatable virtual technology platform linked to an advanced telecom 3G/4G/5G sen...

    Funded by: Innovate UK

  • Enhanced Customer (and Crew) Voice and Broadband Provision on Passenger Trains

    Mobile voice and broadband provision on trains operating across the UK is generally poor at best. By far the largest problem is that no mobile operator can afford to provide 100% effective coverage across the railway net...

    Funded by: Innovate UK

  • First of a Kind: Demonstrating Tomorrow’s Trains Today

    The aim of the project is to develop a system that supports a wide variety of applications for train operators and passengers. The system comprises of infrastructure, designed and certified for deployment on a UK rail pa...

    Funded by: Innovate UK

  • UK Connected Intelligent Transport Environment (UK CITE)

    The UK Connected and Intelligent Transport Environment (UK CITE) creates a real-world-lab for companies to test how connected and autonomous vehicles (CAV) can interact with communications infrastructure (so called V2X)....

    Funded by: Innovate UK