Better mobile reception on trains gets the go-ahead

A SUCCESSFUL pilot of mobile signal repeaters has given the green light for better mobile coverage for train commuters between Geelong and Melbourne.

The state government’s Regional Rail Connectivity Project will improve mobile coverage and connectivity for commuters along the Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Traralgon and Seymour rail lines – which see more than 15.5 million passenger trips annually.

Testing has demonstrated that mobile coverage improves from less than 50 per cent at the moment to almost full network coverage on the five rail lines when an on-train mobile coverage booster is installed.

This will be coupled with up to 35 new mobile towers, including six along the Geelong-Melbourne line.

The first mobile towers have already been built, and once boosters are installed passengers will notice a major improvement in their mobile signal.

Trains will begin to be fitted with the technology from early next year and the entire VLocity fleet will have a booster on board by the end of 2018.

The state government is partnering with the three major mobile carriers – Telstra, Vodafone and Optus – to construct the towers.

“In today’s world, digital connectivity is crucial for people’s lifestyles and for doing business,” Minister for Innovation and the Digital Economy Philip Dalidakis said.

“This program is making it fair for regional Victorian passengers by giving them faster, more reliable mobile coverage.”