The Czech railway infrastructure manager Správa železnic (SŽ) is looking for a company to design and carry out the works required to for the 5G technology along the Prague–Česká Třebová railway line. Passengers travelling by train along one of the Czech Republic’s busiest railway corridors are set to benefit from improved mobile coverage.
The project involves the construction of new transmission stations at five locations along the route, while the actual mobile signal service will be provided by mobile network operators. The maximum contract value is CZK 168.7 million (€7 million), with the works expected to be completed by early 2028.
The successful bidder will first be responsible for preparing the technical design before carrying out the construction works. Once completed, the project will improve 5G signal coverage along the main railway corridor and, consequently, the quality of voice and data services available to passengers.
“Government policy provides for the gradual expansion of 5G coverage across all the country’s main railway corridors. If rail transport is to become a genuine alternative to travelling by car, trains must also provide services that passengers already consider essential. These include a stable and fast internet connection, whether people are working on the train, making phone calls or using other services during their journey,” said Transport Minister Ivan Bednárik.
Better 5G signal for rail passengers
Improved mobile coverage will enable more reliable calls, better internet connectivity and greater comfort for passengers. The project is being delivered in cooperation with mobile network operators, which will provide the mobile signal.
The new communication towers will also be capable of supporting the existing GSM-R radio network, which is used for communication between railway infrastructure and on-board train equipment as part of the European ETCS railway safety system.
In the future, the same infrastructure could also be used by FRMCS, the next-generation railway communication system that is expected to replace GSM-R.
In June, Správa železnic and mobile network operators completed mobile network coverage in two railway tunnels along the corridor. Passengers can now make calls and use mobile data services in Prague’s Vítkov tunnels, as well as in the Krasíkov tunnel between Česká Třebová and Olomouc.
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