1.7 million don't want to wait for better coverage

1.7 million Swedes who live and work along the railroad tracks, and the mobile operators who want to offer these customers the services they expect and have been promised, are now bearing the brunt of the failure of the government and its agencies to take responsibility for enforcing their decisions.

PTS decided back in 2011 that mobile operators would be allowed to switch on their 4G networks at full strength along the tracks on July 1, 2015. This would give both those who live and work along the tracks, and those who in many cases have the train as a workplace provided they have a connection, faster and safer speeds for mobile surfing.

That train operators' communication via GSM-R would be disrupted by switching on communication in 4G networks - and that this would pose a safety risk to passengers - was known when PTS made its decision in 2011. That is now four years ago. Four years that the government and its authorities have had to ensure that the train operators' communications work smoothly and safely while 1.7 million Swedes get the services they demand and in many cases feel dependent on. What has happened in the last four years? Not enough, as has become clear in recent days.

In addition to the fact that the Swedish Transport Administration has now taken its responsibility to ensure safety by deciding to ban trains that have not installed the filters needed to ensure safety on July 1, which is positive. We now expect train operators to take their share of responsibility and install filters in time. For the sake of their customers and those of mobile operators.