LNER Further Improves 4G Mobile and WiFi Coverage on East Coast Main Line

The London North Eastern Railway (LNER) has announced that customers travelling along a picturesque 45-mile stretch of the line in Northumberland (England) can now access “significantly improved mobile phone and Wi-Fi connectivity“. This is thanks to a joint project with Railsite Telecom, O2 and VodafoneThree (Vodafone and Three UK).

The LNER operates on a main route of 936 miles along the East Coast Main Line (ECML), with trains calling at more than 50 stations along the way, including major towns and cities between London, the East Midlands, Yorkshire, the North East of England and Scotland.

However, regular readers might recall last year’s publication of a separate study from Streetwave (here), which found that O2 and Three UK delivered some of the poorest mobile broadband coverage and performance on the line, while EE offered some of the best. But since then there have been a number of improvements.

For example, back in May 2025 mobile operator O2 announced the deployment of a new custom-built Distributed Antenna System (DAS) to improve coverage for trains travelling through the ‘Gasworks’ and ‘Copenhagen’ tunnels (here). The latest development being announced today stems from the deployment of several new mobile phone masts – installed between Newcastle and Berwick-upon-Tweed.

The masts will remove mobile ‘not-spots’ and provide a more reliable connection for rail customers, as well as residents and businesses in the surrounding local communities. By working closely with mobile network operators and with the support of Northumberland County Council (NCC), Railsite identified 8 strategic locations where new mobile phone infrastructure would deliver maximum benefit.

James Downey, Finance Director at LNER, said:

“This project is a brilliant example of the public and private sector coming together to find a solution to a problem. The Northumberland section of the East Coast Main Line is one of the most beautiful parts of our route, passing by rural villages and skimming stunning coastline. However, its geography made it challenging to eliminate those frustrating ’not-spots’. We’re proud to have delivered a solution that not only enhances our customers’ experience but also brings benefits to the communities we serve.”

Councillor Glen Sanderson, Leader of NCC, said:

“We’re delighted to support a project that delivers benefits to our communities and visitors alike. Improved connectivity is vital for rural areas, not just for convenience, but for safety, economic growth, and social inclusion. This initiative demonstrates how collaboration between local government, the rail industry, and telecoms providers can deliver meaningful improvements for both residents and visitors in Northumberland.”

A short video released by LNER shows how improved mobile and Wi-Fi connectivity is benefitting the line: