No More Dead Zones—Germany's Trains Are Finally Fixing This Issue

Passengers in Germany can look forward to improved mobile signal on trains. Until now, reception has been limited, but thanks to modernization efforts, connectivity along railway routes is about to change.

A new technology is set to enhance mobile signal reception across Germany’s railway network. According to reports from public broadcaster ARD and telecom magazine teltarif.de, mobile signal strength on trains had been restricted because the rail network’s GSM-R security system operated on a frequency spectrum similar to that used by mobile phones.

Rail operators in Germany have completed a technical upgrade on approximately 10,000 locomotives, multiple units, and powered railcars, which has optimized frequency spectrum usage for mobile coverage since December 2024. The LTE 900 MHz band, previously largely occupied by GSM-R, has been freed up, while data transmission speeds have increased by 300 Mbps. The older GSM-R system was prone to interference, but the modernization has successfully eliminated these issues.

Public and Telecom Support Behind the Rail Signal Upgrade

Like in Austria and the Czech Republic, this program was implemented with public funding and cooperation from telecom operators. The German Ministry of Transport and Digitalization provided EUR 95 million to finance the project. However, as ARD pointed out, technical factors will still cause weaker mobile reception inside trains compared to outdoor environments. The materials used in train construction, particularly Faraday cage effects, weaken mobile signals. Windows on high-speed ICE trains, which contain thin metal layers for thermal insulation, also block or weaken mobile reception.

Germany Considering Signal-Permeable Glass for Future Trains

National operator Deutsche Bahn is now considering mandating the use of more permeable glass in future train production specifications. For existing rolling stock, laser technology has been used to modify the metallic coating on windows, partially improving signal reception. Germany’s telecom regulator, Bundesnetzagentur, has also imposed requirements on mobile operators to ensure 100 Mbps data speeds on all major rail corridors and 50 Mbps on secondary routes.

Despite these advancements, signal dead zones will persist across parts of Germany’s rail network for some time. Coverage gaps will vary between different operators, and eliminating them will require ongoing measurements and the installation of additional base transceiver stations (BTS).

Sources: ARD, Teltarif.de