evo-rail

What evo-rail does

evo-rail (legal name: Evolutionary Rail Limited) is a London-based rail connectivity technology company and wholly-owned subsidiary of FirstGroup plc, established in 2019 to commercialise mmWave track-to-train communication systems developed from 2016 onwards. The company designs and deploys its rail-5G platform, which delivers high-bandwidth data connectivity between trackside infrastructure and moving trains using the 67-71 GHz mmWave spectrum, dynamic beamforming, and its patented Stanchion Mounted Poles (SMP) — self-powered, solar-charged pole units that can be installed without track possession or grid connection.

The rail-5G system replaces traditional cellular or fibre backhaul on rail corridors, with management claiming approximately one-tenth the data delivery cost of mobile operator solutions and up to a 95% reduction in installation time relative to legacy trackside builds. The architecture supports passenger Wi-Fi, operational telemetry, on-train CCTV backhaul, and is positioned as a backbone for station and rural community connectivity along rail corridors. The platform holds Network Rail product acceptance in the UK and EU health-and-safety compliance for cross-border European deployment.

evo-rail monetises through multi-year managed service contracts with train operating companies and is introducing a technology licensing model to scale beyond direct deployments. Its customer base includes South Western Railway (UK), Island Line (UK test deployment), COMSA (Spain), and the LFP Perpignan–Figueres cross-border corridor serving the Spain–France TGV route. Geographic expansion from the UK into continental Europe, and segment expansion from passenger TOCs into freight operators, are the principal growth vectors alongside the new licensing channel.

Name

evo-rail

Legal name

Evolutionary Rail Limited

Website

https://evo-rail.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

evo-rail is a London-based subsidiary of FirstGroup that builds mmWave track-to-train connectivity (rail-5G) using patented self-powered Stanchion Mounted Poles. It sells managed connectivity services to passenger and freight train operators in the UK and continental Europe.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Railway Telecommunications Connectivity

NAICS

Support Activities for Rail Transportation (488210)

SIC

Radiotelephone Communications (4812), Transportation Services (4700)

akta.pro primary industry

Rail Communications & Control Systems Operations (GSM-R/FRMCS, Radio Dispatch) (TLAJAEAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Rail Communications & Telecom Infrastructure (GSM-R/FRMCS, Fiber, Radio) (TLAJADAD)

Keywords

• Railway connectivity solutions
• Track-to-train Wi-Fi
• MmWave rail technology
• Rail 5G communications
• Onboard broadband services

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Managed Rail-5G Service: Evo-rail delivers rail-5G as a complete managed service, handling all trackside and on-train installation, maintenance, and network operations. The company provides the full solution including hardware, deployment, and ongoing support. Commercial models available include turnkey delivery, joint venture arrangements, or licensed solution deployment. The service is priced as a fixed-cost alternative to per-gigabyte mobile data charges.
2. Licensing Royalties: Evo-rail offers licensing of its rail-5G technology to railway operators and infrastructure companies. Licensees can deploy the solution using evo-rail's proprietary systems and intellectual property. The licensing model provides recurring royalty revenue while enabling broader market adoption through partner operators.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Evo-rail delivers rail-5G, the world's first multi-gigabit track-to-train onboard Wi-Fi connectivity solution, as a complete managed service to railway operators. The offering combines proprietary mmWave radio technology (67–71 GHz) with patented self-powered Stanchion Mounted Poles, dedicated trackside fibre and on-train integration equipment to provide over 1 Gbps continuous symmetric throughput to moving trains with guaranteed 100% coverage through tunnels and deep cuttings. Commercial models include turnkey delivery, joint venture, or licensing arrangements, each structured as multi-year contracts priced at approximately one-tenth the per-GB cost of mobile data.

Product overview

Evo-rail offers rail-5G, the world's first multi-gigabit track-to-train Wi-Fi connectivity solution built specifically for railways. The unified rail-5G system comprises three integrated components: track-to-train connectivity via self-powered Stanchion Mounted Poles (SMP) with mmWave antennas spaced 1-2.2km apart along trackside; on-train integration equipment that delivers over 1Gbps symmetric throughput to passengers; and the trackside WAN network connecting poles via dedicated fibre. The solution uses mmWave technology (67-71GHz) with dynamic beamforming to provide 100% coverage and constant connectivity throughout journeys, including through tunnels and deep cuttings, at a fraction of the cost of mobile data services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• rail-5G The world's first multi-gigabit track-to-train onboard Wi-Fi connectivity solution, delivered as a managed service to train operating companies using mmWave radio technology to provide over 1 Gbps of constant symmetric internet throughput to moving trains with guaranteed 100% coverage, including through tunnels and deep cuttings.
• Stanchion Mounted Pole (SMP) Patented lightweight non-conductive plastic composite pole that attaches to existing railway stanchions to mount trackside mmWave antennas, eliminating heavy civils and reducing installation effort by 95% and overall deployment cost by 30%.
• mmWave Rail-5G Platform Proprietary mmWave radio platform operating in the 67–71 GHz frequency band with dynamic beamforming, providing over 1 GHz of bandwidth and pencil-beam track-to-train connectivity that delivers multi-gigabit throughput while reducing wasted power outside the railway corridor to near zero.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1Gbps continuous internet throughput to trains vs. current 10-50Mb/s
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• University of BristolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFive-year collaboration with FirstGroup developing mmWave technology for rail connectivity. Professor Andrew Nix's research combined beamforming with Fixed Wireless Access in mmWave band to demonstrate gigabit transmission to moving trains in 2016, spawning the rail-5G development consortium.
• Department for TransportcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment funding and support for rail connectivity research and development. Provided backing for the initial Mantra project through DfT-supported consortiums that led to the Dali trials and subsequent commercial development of rail-5G.
• South Western Railway (SWR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst commercial deployment partner for rail-5G technology on one of Europe's busiest railways. SWR collaborated with evo-rail and Network Rail for deployment between Basingstoke and Earlsfield, creating UK's first 5G railway.
• Network RailcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorking closely with Network Rail on rail-5G deployment including product acceptance, trackside and train design approvals, and compliance with European health and safety regulations. Network Rail involvement essential for deployment on UK rail infrastructure.
• COMSAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpanish infrastructure company that invested in evo-rail's super-fast Wi-Fi solution. Rail-5G installed on one line in Spain with good results, with planned deployment to a high-speed line. Represents international market expansion through strategic partner.
• FirstGroupcoreOthersParent company and spinout origin. FirstGroup formed evo-rail from First Rail Holdings Limited to commercialize rail-5G technology developed through university research. Evo-rail operates as a rail telecoms company under the FirstGroup umbrella with registered office at FirstGroup headquarters.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/evolutionaryrail

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about evo-rail