Israel promises improved train WiFi experiment, forgets start date

Transportation Minister Miri Regev recently announced an upcoming experiment aimed at enhancing WiFi reception for passengers on Israel Railway trains.

However, one crucial detail was omitted from the announcement: The start date. A recent investigation by Walla revealed that Regev, along with Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi and Israel Railways management, have only agreed on the trial format. 

Purchasing the necessary components and initiating the limited trial will take place in the coming months. While a solution to the cellular reception problem has yet to be determined, it is unlikely to be implemented before 2024.

How will Israel improve WiFi, cellular reception in trains?

The experiment will evaluate three different methods. The first option involves installing wireless Internet receivers in train cars, using both external antennas on the roof and internal antennas inside the cars. This installation aims to enhance cellular reception within the train.

Another option focuses on cellular signal amplifiers, which will be installed in the train cars and include two roof antennas, amplifiers, and internal antennas.

The third experiment will attempt to use technology near the train car windows to allow cell phone reception to be more easily received within the train cars.

The inadequate cellular reception is partly attributed to incomplete coverage around the tracks, resulting from insufficient deployment by cellular companies.

To improve reception quality, the Communications Ministry has initiated cellular reception tests along the train tracks. If phone companies fail to meet their requirement of achieving 95% coverage as outlined in their operating licenses, they will be required to address the coverage gaps promptly. This can expedite the resolution of the reception problem and save significant time and expenses, which would otherwise be required for installing receivers and amplifiers in the train cars. These installations necessitate train shutdowns or pre-arranged maintenance periods.

Increasing cellular reception during train travel is a global challenge that is not unique to Israel. It is difficult for cellular signals to reach the interior of trains due to the metal that makes up the train cars.

Karhi expressed confidence in the efforts to find solutions and emphasized the need for field trials to test the proposed recommendations.

Regev stressed the importance of reliable WiFi and cellular reception on trains. To incentivize the shift from private vehicles to public transportation, optimal conditions must be created, ensuring efficient use of travel time.