The Government of Victoria in Australia is set to partner with mobile carriers Telstra, Optus and Vodafone to fix mobile blackspots across the five busiest rail corridors in the region.

The A$18m ($13.6m) rail connectivity project is expected to improve mobile coverage and connectivity for the passengers along the Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Traralgon and Seymour rail lines once complete.

An estimated 15.5 million passengers commute through these rail lines every year.

Victoria Minister for small business, innovation and trade Philip Dalidakis said: “This Australian-first project is a massive win for commuters on our five busiest regional rail corridors. No matter which network they use, they will see improvements.

“Regular commuters spend up to 20 hours per week on regional trains, and we need to keep them connected so they can keep in touch with their loved ones and use their travel time productively.”

"This Australian-first project is a massive win for commuters on our five busiest regional rail corridors. No matter which network they use, they will see improvements."

The project will see the installation of in-train technology systems, which will boost the signal provided by mobile towers outside the rail carriage to devices being used inside.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

Work has already started on certain VLocity trains through the installation of mobile reception repeaters designed to provide full network coverage to passengers' mobile devices.

These repeaters are set to be installed in all VLocity trains next year, should the pilot project prove successful. The in-train technology is currently used in more than 30 railways networks across Europe, including Switzerland, Germany and Italy.

The project is also anticipated to increase productivity for business commuters, generating an additional A$20m ($15.05m) annually for the economy of Victoria.