Network Rail has signed a deal with O2 to transfer 23,000 mobile connections from rival operator Vodafone.

Under the terms of what is O2's biggest single deal, the company will provide a range of communication services, including Blackberry support. It will also work with Network Rail to find new areas of business that can benefit from the use of mobile technology.

"We are keen to embrace new ways of communicating with our people and suppliers and changing the way we work by using new technology," said Network Rail director of information management Catherine Doran.