The Belgian national railway company, SNCB, has scrapped plans to provide Wi-Fi on trains due to the high costs, which amounted to around €173 million.
Instead, SNCB will modify train windows to improve mobile data connectivity, according to reports from Het Nieuwsblad, Gazet van Antwerpen, and Het Belang van Limburg.
Although former railway chief Jo Cornu supported the idea, the current CEO Sophie Dutordoir has deemed installing Wi-Fi too expensive.
Outgoing Mobility Minister Georges Gilkinet (Ecolo) revealed the costs in Parliament: €160 million for installation and an additional €13 million annually for operation.
Implementing Wi-Fi would also require pulling trains out of service and hiring additional staff for installation and maintenance.
After several pilot projects, SNCB has decided to enhance mobile data connectivity through 4G and 5G networks.
This will involve changing the coating on train windows to allow better phone signal reception, at an estimated cost of €40 million.
However, Gilkinet admitted that some parts of the Belgian railway network still suffer from poor mobile coverage.
