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Varying quality of WiFi across Scotrail’s train fleets

amahy

amahy

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I am a resident of the North Clyde line, and the WiFi on the 318s, 320s, and 334s that run there is generally very good. However, travelling to various places around Scotland, certain train types in the fleet seem to have WiFi that is as good as useless!

On a recent trip to Aberdeen, I travelled on 3 HSTs and 2 158s. Of the 5 different trains, only one of the 158s had functional WiFi. None of the HSTs did!

I also travel on the 380s semi regularly, and the WiFi on them is always very slow.

So why is the WiFi so inconsistent across Scotrail?
 
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RailUK Forums

1

172007

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Part of the issue is unless ScotRail use Starlink then the topography, low density of population and railway lines using remote vallleys and wooded areas to meander through means the mobile phone signals they use drop out all to often.
 
NY SAARSS

NY SAARSS

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Oh dear you think internet access is bad now, wait till they get the 222 units with the dodgy window coatings.
 
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scotraildriver

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We get loads of complaints about no WiFi on West Highland services. Quite simply, there is no mobile signal to connect to over large parts of the route. The WiFi tried to use all 4 main networks but when there is no signal on any of them there's not much that can be done. 5 158s have been fitted with Starlink for use on the far north line and this trial is ongoing.
 
B

Busman84

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You’re better relying on your own phone network these days. While these could be poor/non existent in the most rural areas it will work better than what’s offered across both bus and rail networks these days.
 
nlogax

nlogax

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Mostly Glasgow-ish. Mostly.
I cannot rely on ScotRail wifi anywhere across the central belt. Much more reliable to use my own phone, though even then it's only as good as the availability of a reasonably robust 5g or 4g signal.
 
D

Davester50

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Unless it's Starlink, I don't know why anyone would use public wifi these days.
Mobile Data packages for unlimited data don't cost the earth. Never use hotel wi-fi without a VPN either.
 
S

skyetraveller

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scotraildriver said:
We get loads of complaints about no WiFi on West Highland services. Quite simply, there is no mobile signal to connect to over large parts of the route. The WiFi tried to use all 4 main networks but when there is no signal on any of them there's not much that can be done. 5 158s have been fitted with Starlink for use on the far north line and this trial is ongoing.
Click to expand...
One of those 158's formed my train on the Kyle line (where the mobile signal is dreadful for most of the route, unsurprisingly) the other week and I was blown away by how fast and stable it was. So much so, I finally took the plunge after months of deliberating and ordered it for home. If the trial is successful I really hope ScotRail take the plunge and fit Starlink to their entire fleet. Very costly for that number of trains but it would be a game changer.
 
P

Peter0124

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They really should invest in data coverage across the whole WCML including through Galloway and Cumbria. Just because nobody lives there doesn't mean it won't get used.
 
C

Carntyne

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If you've got 4G/5G, I don't see why you'd even connect to the WiFi. It uses the same networks anyway.
 
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Highlander1

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Wifi on most Scotrail trains operates on a 4G network. No network, no Wi-Fi. It's not surprising on Glasgow suburban routes you get a decent experience while on intercity journeys it's much poorer. In my option, the entire fleet should have Starlink (or similar) installed but as a taxpayer, I'm fully in favour of the costs being passed on to the passenger as most airlines do. Free in 1st class and paid for all other passengers.
 
A

aaronspence

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Scotland
I’m not so sure it’s a lack of 4G, I get the 170s reguarly from Fife to Edinburgh or Glasgow and a lot of the time they don’t pop up the connect screen or do but say no internet connection. Maybe 1 in 10 trains it works on from my experience.
 
43096

43096

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skyetraveller said:
One of those 158's formed my train on the Kyle line (where the mobile signal is dreadful for most of the route, unsurprisingly) the other week and I was blown away by how fast and stable it was. So much so, I finally took the plunge after months of deliberating and ordered it for home. If the trial is successful I really hope ScotRail take the plunge and fit Starlink to their entire fleet. Very costly for that number of trains but it would be a game changer.
Click to expand...
Do you know which units have been fitted with Starlink?
 
S

skyetraveller

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43096 said:
Do you know which units have been fitted with Starlink?
Click to expand...
No unfortunately I don't. I didn't realise it was as many as five though. The conductor alerted me to it and was very enthusiastic but I've grown out of noting down unit numbers at my age!
 
C

Carlisle

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Busman84 said:
You’re better relying on your own phone network these days. While these could be poor/non existent in the most rural areas it will work better than what’s offered across both bus and rail networks these days.
Click to expand...
Until about 14 years ago once north of the central belt it was essentially 2G or nothing until/ unless you reached Dundee, Inverness or Aberdeen
 
Last edited:
HighlandStorm

HighlandStorm

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Carntyne said:
If you've got 4G/5G, I don't see why you'd even connect to the WiFi. It uses the same networks anyway.
Click to expand...
Because external antennas and multi-network routers are a thing! Both offer advantages over a single network sim on a device inside a steel tube.

That said the system on some of the ScotRail fleet - 170s seem the worst - is very poor and always has been.

I also wonder if post nationalisation that the connections have been throttled more to save money? The onboard wifi appears to have markedly deteriorated around the end of the franchise!

I’ve used the StarLink service on a 158 on the Far North Line and it was rock solid even with a number of people connected. That said LTE coverage is pretty solid further North, there nothing much to block the signal in the Flow Country!

I’ve discussed this with a mate before, better wifi and more usable mobile signal on the WHL than the WCML !

Is StarLink the answer? Dunno, I’d prefer carrier pigeons to giving an Elon Musk company any coin!
 
3

380101

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NY SAARSS said:
Oh dear you think internet access is bad now, wait till they get the 222 units with the dodgy window coatings.
Click to expand...

The 222s are getting Starlink fitted and will also have WiFi calling capability as part of the WiFi package.
 
S

Snow1964

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There is a Government announcement that £13m is being spent to improve Highland trains connectivity (and various other projects)
  • Reliable broadband on remote Scottish railways and access to cutting-edge tech for British farmers among 16 new projects backed by £13 million.
  • Funding to help transform access and availability of 5G and 6G networks – boosting connectivity and driving growth.
  • Projects will create high-value jobs across the UK, strengthen national security, and help cement Britain’s position as a global force in satellite communication technology.
Click to expand...
www.gov.uk

Better WiFi on remote trains and access to cutting edge tech for British farmers through £13 million boost to drive next-gen satellite communications

More reliable broadband on remote Scottish railways and affordable sensors which help farmers grow more food.
www.gov.uk www.gov.uk
 
S

Snow1964

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Buzby said:
Common mistake. This metric relates to population coverage, NOT geographical!
Click to expand...
Most recent figures appear to be only 72.8% of UK has at least one 5g operator, and it is a fraction of that area for good outdoor signal from all operators
 
Buzby

Buzby

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The 5G roll out is certainly slower than from 2 to 3G. At my home I now have 5G, but only from 3UK the other networks are still 4G, it certainly is worth getting when it arrives but as you note it is only in urban areas.
 
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