Rail system will be obsolete

Delayed GSM-R project already outstripped by consumer technology

Network Rail's communications system will be ready in 2013

Network Rail’s much-delayed £1.2bn driver communications system will be obsolete long before it is rolled out, says the government strategy on the future of the railways.

The Global System for Mobile Communications – Railways (GSM-R) project was established in 2003 to create secure voice and data links between train drivers and signallers. It was originally expected to be up and running by 2008, but budget constraints and technical issues have pushed the deadline back – first to 2010, and then to 2013.

GSM-R trials have already begun, but the Rail Technical Strategy issued last week says the technology will be out of date by the time it is deployed. Network Rail says it may never be able to install state-of-the-art IT across the UK.

Technology implementation is a genuine challenge for the rail sector, says independent expert Christian Wolmar.

‘The railway has a tradition of being slow to innovate because of the huge capital cost of introducing new systems across a vast network,’ he said.

GSM-R relies on the GSM mobile phone network technology first introduced to the consumer market in the 1990s and already left behind by the likes of 3G and WiMax.

By the time the project hits its extended 2013 deadline, the underlying technology will be more than 20 years old, says Datamonitor analyst Alex Kwiatkowski.

‘Network Rail says it is investing to build a modern railway, but this sends out the wrong signals,’ he said.

Network Rail defends its slow progress with the argument that choosing the right systems takes time.

‘I doubt we will ever be able to put in bang up-to-date technology across the whole network,’ said a spokesman.

The system will meet UK rail sector requirements and, because it is in use in other countries, obsolescence will not cause problems when sourcing spare parts, says Network Rail.

‘GSM-R will fulfil our needs for at least the next 20 years,’ said the spokesman.

The Association of Train Operating Companies (Atoc) says the system will continue to be developed. ‘The technology will not stand still and there will be ongoing work to ensure it remains suitable,’ said an Atoc spokeswoman.

‘The diesel engine is more than 100 years old but is still used effectively on the railways.’