Picture this: you board a train for a journey that will last several hours. As you settle in, you take your phone, ready to catch up on work emails, stream a movie, or browse social media. But soon, you notice your signal bars dropping one by one until they’re gone completely. Suddenly, you find yourself in a connectivity dead zone, where your plans to work, stream, or browse grind to a halt.
For many passengers, the lack of a stable network connection on trains isn’t just a minor inconvenience—it’s a significant disruption. Whether it's missing an important work call, failing to respond to urgent messages, or losing the ability to stream your favorite shows, being without a signal on a train journey can feel isolating and frustrating. With our reliance on connectivity growing every day, having no mobile network signal can turn an otherwise pleasant train journey into a stressful experience.
Why Modern Trains Struggle with Signal Reception
The problem largely stems from the very materials that make modern trains comfortable and energy-efficient. Today, train windows are designed with insulated glass to optimize energy efficiency and maintain temperature control. While these features provide comfort and sustainability, they also inadvertently turn train cars into what is known as "Faraday cages,” an enclosure that blocks electromagnetic fields, including the signals our phones need to stay connected.
In practical terms, this means that the glass windows and metal frames of modern train cars block up to 99.9% of the telecommunication signals in the 0.4 to 6 GHz frequency range. As a result, only a tiny fraction of the signal can penetrate the train’s interior, making it difficult for passengers to maintain a steady connection while traveling.
The Traditional Fix: Signal Repeaters
To counter this issue, train operators have traditionally relied on signal repeaters. These devices work by capturing external signals and rebroadcasting them inside the train. This approach can help improve network coverage inside trains. However, signal repeaters come with several downsides.
Firstly, installing signal repeaters requires significant upfront investment, as well as ongoing maintenance costs. The installation process involves extensive wiring, space allocation for equipment, and careful calibration to ensure that the boosted signals do not interfere with other onboard systems. Repeaters are also prone to limitations in their coverage areas, especially in remote regions or when trains are moving at high speeds. This can result in uneven or unreliable signal strength for passengers, diminishing the intended benefits.
A New Approach: WAVETHRU Retrofit
Rather than relying on bulky equipment and complex installations, WAVETHRU Retrofit offers a more innovative solution that tackles the root of the problem directly. Developed by Pulsaart by AGC, WAVETHRU Retrofit is a technology applied directly to the train's existing glass windows. This laser treatment enables electromagnetic waves to pass through the glass more effectively, significantly improving mobile signal penetration without affecting the thermal or visual properties of the windows. However, like any solution dependent on external signals, its effectiveness in extremely remote areas would suffer the same limitations as other technologies.
Why WAVETHRU Retrofit is Better:
Enhanced Privacy and Data Security: As an alternative to signal repeaters, rail operators sometimes provide onboard Wi-Fi to improve connectivity. However, these Wi-Fi networks require passengers to connect to a shared system that can be unreliable and carry significant security risks. Public Wi-Fi networks are vulnerable to data breaches, cyberattacks, and privacy invasions, exposing passengers to potential threats. In contrast, WAVETHRU Retrofit preserves each passenger’s direct mobile connection, eliminating the need to rely on a shared network. By using their own mobile networks, passengers avoid the risks associated with public Wi-Fi, such as data interception or unauthorized access. This ensures a safer and more private browsing experience. With WAVETHRU Retrofit, secure connections are maintained seamlessly without additional steps, providing both a safer and more convenient option for modern train travel.
Invisible to Passengers: WAVETHRU Retrofit is a special laser glazing treatment applied directly to the train's existing windows, making the solution completely unobtrusive. This treatment does not change the appearance, clarity, or thermal properties of the windows, so passengers won't notice any visual differences. Passengers can enjoy enhanced mobile connectivity, maintaining the comfort and visual appeal of their environment.
Sustainability and Efficiency: WAVETHRU Retrofit is designed as a retrofitting solution that is applied directly to the train's existing windows. This means rail operators do not need to replace or remove the already installed glass, significantly reducing waste and avoiding the environmental impact associated with manufacturing new windows. By enhancing the performance of these existing materials, WAVETHRU Retrofit minimizes the need for additional equipment and raw materials, thereby lowering the overall environmental footprint associated with traditional signal-boosting infrastructure. This approach not only conserves resources but also supports a more sustainable and efficient upgrade process for modern rail networks.
No Additional Equipment Needed: Unlike repeaters, which require significant space for equipment and complex installations and maintenance, WAVETHRU Retrofit works by treating the existing train windows of all types and producers. This not only reduces costs but also avoids the need for additional hardware that takes up valuable space within the train.
Quick and Non-Disruptive Installation: Installing WAVETHRU Retrofit is a straightforward process carried out by Pulsaart's expert team directly at the railway operator’s site. This minimizes downtime and avoids the lengthy service interruptions that can occur when installing traditional repeaters or setting up extensive Wi-Fi infrastructure. Pulsaart is highly flexible in planning the installation process, taking into account the customer's needs and scheduling requirements. This tailored approach ensures that rail operators can swiftly enhance the passenger experience without disrupting regular train operations, making it a practical and efficient choice for modernizing connectivity on the rails.
Competitive Advantage with WAVETHRU Retrofit: Rail operators looking to gain a competitive edge can significantly benefit from adopting WAVETHRU Retrofit. This innovative solution not only future-proofs their services by providing a long-term, low-maintenance connectivity option but also enhances passenger satisfaction with reliable, private, and uninterrupted mobile network access. The streamlined installation process reduces downtime, and the sustainable approach appeals to eco-conscious passengers and stakeholders. With WAVETHRU Retrofit, rail operators can differentiate themselves from competitors by offering a superior travel experience that meets the modern demands of connectivity, efficiency, and sustainability.)
A Better Way to Stay Connected on the Rails
The need for strong and reliable connectivity on trains is more critical than ever, and while signal repeaters and Wi-Fi networks have provided partial solutions, they come with several limitations. WAVETHRU Retrofit offers a superior approach by enhancing mobile signal penetration without the drawbacks associated with these traditional methods. It provides a sustainable, efficient, and passenger-friendly way to ensure you stay connected on the rails, transforming long journeys from frustratingly disconnected experiences to productive and enjoyable ones.
Next time you’re on a train, imagine a world where your signal never drops. That world is closer than you think, thanks to innovative solutions like WAVETHRU Retrofit that make staying connected simpler, smarter, and more sustainable.
