📋 Tender Overview
VR starts lasering the windows of long-distance trains to improve the audibility of calls and mobile data on trains. AGC Glass Europe which is part of the AGC Group one of the worlds largest glass manufacturers has been chosen as the lasering operator. The large-scale project will start in November 2025 and a total of approximately 10000 windows will be lasered over the course of two years. VR has previously invested 5 million euros in a more efficient Wi-Fi connection. However lasering and Wi-Fi improvement alone do not guarantee coverage if there are not enough base stations of telecom operators along the track.
Mobile phone audibility on the train is hindered by the low permeability of the train bodys radio signals and the fast speed past the base stations. With the lasering of the windows that is being done now patterns are burned into the windows which promote the penetration of the signal from the base stations into the train and thus improve the audibility of the voice of calls and mobile data on trains. Lasering will replace the repeaters currently on the trains.
Lasing improves the audibility of calls and mobile data on trains by reducing signal attenuation caused by window glass. This means that radio signals get inside the train better. However it is important to note that lasering does not help in areas where there is no signal or the capacity of base stations is insufficient. Without the signal of telecom operators we cannot provide connections on the train says project leader Jonas Eriksson from VR.
The removal of covered areas located on the rail network still requires market-based investments by telecommunications operators in base stations and capacity.
The glass manufacturer AGC Glass Europe which was selected in the tender for the implementation of the laser work was selected based on its know-how and extensive experience. AGC Glass Europe has similar experience in lasering the windows of the entire fleet. The production rate is about 5000 windows per year so the duration of the project is about two years. In practice it means that the windows of one train car can be lasered per day.
Working network connections on the train are an important factor in terms of the travel experience. Our customers want to use the travel time for for example work or use the Internet for entertainment. In order to keep all the necessary equipment in traffic the lasering is done in connection with the maintenance of the train carriages. The first lasered carriages will be in traffic already at the end of this year says Jonas Eriksson.
After the lasering VR has taken all possible measures to improve train accessibility which the company can decide on within its own operations. In the past VR has renewed the wireless internal network and Wi-Fi devices of all long-distance trains with five million euros which means that VR Wi-Fi brings its users an internet connection that is about five times faster than before.
FACTS:
About 10000 VR long-distance train windows are lasered. The lasering is carried out by AGC Glass Europe and the lasering project will be completed in 2027.
Lasering will improve the audibility of mobile connections and phone calls used by train passengers.
Lasering offers a technically longer-lasting and more cost-effective solution than the current repeaters that improve audibility on the train because it is not dependent on the development of frequency technology.
In the past VR has invested in improving the Wi-Fi equipment of trains. The free train network can be found on the trains under the name VR-wifi. Train passengers satisfaction with VR wifi has clearly improved since last year (3.5/5).
Essential factors in improving coverage are the telecommunications masts along the track and the sufficient capacity of the base stations. Lasering does not improve the network connection if there is no signal in the area.
The coverage map maintained by VR helps customers plan their internet usage while traveling. www.vr.fi/wifi
