Vodafone has signed an agreement with Deutsche Bahn (DB) to fill any remaining gaps in the mobile operator's network on Deutsche Bahn's lines. The agreement stipulates that Vodafone will provide a seamless high-bandwidth LTE mobile network on DB's busiest routes by 2025.

By the summer of 2025, Vodafone must ensure LTE network bandwidth of at least 225 megabits per second on 7,800 kilometers of main ICE and IC routes. Additionally, the 13,800 km high-traffic route (more than 2,000 passengers per day) must have at least 125 Mbit/s of LTE network bandwidth. To ensure that its commitments are met, Vodafone will add 160 additional mobile phone stations and implement some 1,000 modernization measures. It is also pushing to expand mobile communications along secondary routes to achieve near-universal mobile coverage on these lines by 2024.

As part of the infrastructure partnership, Vodafone will also be the first telco to activate its 5G+ network on ICE routes in Germany by 2025. 5G+ will cover rail passengers via the 1,800 MHz frequency without the need to upgrade any DB trains. As part of the agreement, DB will provide Vodafone with additional regional and fibre infrastructure, as well as services related to the planning, approval and construction process. The state-owned railway company is also continuing to research other technological solutions to improve mobile communications during travel, such as developing window panes that improve the quality of mobile signals within trains.

The winners of the deal will be rail passengers on the Vodafone contract, as the improved network will end dropped calls and internet connection disruptions for these people. More generally, however, improving mobile phone reception will increase the appeal of rail travel, which will allow more people to get off and onto trains - an important step in the fight against climate change.

Hannes Ametsreiter, CEO of Vodafone Deutschland, said: “Nine out of ten rail passengers use mobile internet or make calls from their smartphones while on the road, and they are still often plagued by annoying dead spots. Together with Deutsche Bahn, we are now finally at the A remedy has been found and one of the biggest annoyances for millions of commuters and travelers has been eliminated. Keywords: engineering construction, engineering news

"With the highest bandwidth, lightning-fast response times and clear goals, we are building a seamless mobile phone network for all rail passengers and Europe's most modern 5G network for Germany's fastest trains."Editor/XingWentao