Our CEO, Toby Parkins, has written to Government urging ministers to prioritise investment in high-speed onboard Wi-Fi for Great Western Railway services to Cornwall. For businesses facing some of the UK’s longest rail journey times and persistent connectivity challenges, reliable onboard internet is no longer a convenience, it is essential economic infrastructure.
Businesses in Cornwall already face significant challenges caused by distance and connectivity. With the loss of direct London air links, rail travel has become even more critical for accessing markets, investment, and government.
That is why we are calling for Cornwall and GWR services to be prioritised for investment in high-speed onboard Wi-Fi.
This is about more than passenger convenience. Journeys to London can take five to seven hours, and unreliable connectivity often turns that time into lost productivity. Reliable high-speed internet would allow business travellers to stay connected, responsive, and competitive throughout those journeys.
As digital connectivity becomes increasingly important to economic growth, Cornwall cannot afford to fall further behind. Investment in high-speed rail Wi-Fi would be a practical step toward improving productivity, supporting regional equality, and strengthening Cornwall’s long-term competitiveness.
CornwallChamber – The Case for High speed Wifi
*UPDATE*
Toby received a reply to this letter from Peter, Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill – Minister of State for Rail.
The Department for Transport has welcomed the successful trial of superfast satellite Wi-Fi on Great Western Railway services, highlighting faster speeds, greater capacity and positive passenger feedback. Officials are now developing the business case and procurement plans for a wider rollout of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) connectivity, alongside Network Rail’s Project Reach to further improve mobile coverage.
Read the full response here:
