Business
Formula 1 tech used to improve train Wi-Fi on GWR
Laura CressTechnology reporter
GWRA new UK-first pilot scheme is aiming to create fast and more reliable train wi-fi, using technology originally developed for Formula 1 cars.
It will see a train in the Great Western Railway fleet use a hybrid system of both signals from mobile phone masts on the ground and low earth orbit (LEO) satellites in space to create a more reliable connection.
The scheme has been developed by British tech company Motion Applied, in partnership with the transport body for Cornwall, Devon, Plymouth, Somerset and Torbay, Peninsula Transport.
The pilot will last for 60 days onboard GWR’s Intercity Express Train which runs in the South West region, having started in mid-November.
In a recent study by networking testing firm Ookla, the UK ranked 16th out of 18 major European and Asian countries for train wi-fi speed, with average download speeds at just 1.09 megabits per second, compared to Sweden’s 64.58.
Nick Fry, chairman of Motion Applied, formerly part of McLaren Group, said the issues faced in connecting to the internet from a fast moving train had “many parallels with motorsport”.
He added that by using technology originally developed for F1 cars, trains should be able to switch between ground and space-based networks such as LEO satellites to “reliably connect” without drop outs.
In the 2025 spending review, the Department of Transport secured £41m to introduce low earth orbit satellite connectivity on all mainline trains by 2030.
‘A step in the right direction’
Councillor Dan Rogerson, from the Peninsula Transport board, called the pilot a “major milestone” in its plans to modernise transport infrastructure across the South West and South Wales.
“It’s not just about passenger wi-fi,” he said. “This is about a whole new digital backbone for our transport networks”.
Bruce Williamson from the campaign group Railfuture told the BBC the scheme appeared to be “really good news”.
“We’re all increasingly connected these days, and wi-fi has become more and more of an essential service for travellers. I’m not going to hold my breath, but this is a step in the right direction.”
In May, South Western Railway launched its own, separate, “superfast” wi-fi rollout for its trains between Earlsfield and Basingstoke, using trackside poles and antennas to create a bespoke 5G rail network.
Marks & Spencer is to sell its food products in shops in Australia for the first time amid efforts to grow further globally.
The British brand said it has struck a partnership to sell products in Coles supermarket stores.
Bosses have said the group believes there is significant opportunity to grow its wholesale business, targeting new regions globally.
M&S products will sold in Coles stores from Wednesday November 19, with an extended range available for some shoppers online.
The retailer said the deal follows the “success” of its food wholesale partnership with the Target chain in the US.
M&S’s Australian expansion comes after its launched fashion supply agreement with the David Jones department store business in the country earlier this year.
The expansion comes amid renewed focus on international ambitions, having scaled back some of its franchise operations over the past decade, which included store closures in China and France.
Mark Lemming, managing director of international at M&S, said: “With consistent growth in Food in the UK business and strong brand momentum as the UK’s most trusted retailer there is now so much opportunity for us to grow our business globally.
“Wholesale is a relatively new channel for us, but one that provides lots of opportunity to scale, sell and serve our food business to even more customers around the world.”
Anna Croft, chief commercial officer at Coles, said: “We’re excited to join forces with Marks & Spencer to bring their quality food range to Australia, allowing millions of Aussies to savour the very best of British right here at home.”
The federal government’s dues from K-Electric have reached Rs229 billion, following an increase of Rs11 billion in the first quarter of the current fiscal year 2025-26.
According to official documents, K-Electric now owes Rs229 billion to the federal government.
The outstanding amount rose by Rs11 billion in June 2025 alone.
Compared to September 2024, the dues are Rs14 billion higher.
By September 2025, K-Electric’s total outstanding amount stood at Rs229 billion.
The documents of the power division showed that the actual outstanding amount stood at Rs42 billion, and Rs187 added as interest.
In June 2025, Rs218 billion was outstanding against K Electric. In September 2024, the outstanding amount was Rs215 billion.
Sources said that K Electric is receiving electricity from the national grid, which falls in the jurisdiction of the federal government.
Last Updated:
Shares of Siemens on Monday surge by over 4.3% to trade at Rs 3,218.10 apiece on the NSE despite a 7% y-o-y decline in consolidated net profit to Rs 485 crore in Q2.
Siemens Share Price.
Siemens Share Price Today: Shares of Siemens on Monday surged by over 4.3% to trade at Rs 3,218.10 apiece on the NSE despite weak Q2 results. The heavy electrical equipment maker has reported a 7 per cent year-on-year (y-o-y) decline in consolidated net profit to Rs 485 crore for the quarter ended September 30, 2025.
On the BSE, the stock traded at Rs 3,220.85 apiece as of 1:10 pm, which is nearly 4.5% higher than the previous close of Rs 3,082.95.
Siemens’ net profit (or profit after tax) had stood at Rs 523 crore in the July-September period a year ago.
However, the company saw its revenue from operations grow 16 per cent to Rs 5,171 crore during the quarter under review from Rs 4,457 crore in the year- ago period.
Siemens MD and CEO Sunil Mathur said, “We delivered a robust performance this quarter, with a surge in revenue, driven by strong performance in our mobility and smart infrastructure businesses while digital Industries volumes were impacted due to a lower reach in the order backlog from the previous year and muted private sector capex.”
He added that the profit was impacted by a one-time gain of Rs 69 crore from the sale of property in Q4 FY 2024. On August 8, 2025, the board approved changing the company’s financial year from October-September to April-March.
The current financial year is changed to October 1, 2024-March 31, 2026 (18 months). Thereafter, the financial year will be April 1 to March 31, every year.
What Brokerages Say
JM Financials in its note said Siemens’ revenue exceeded its estimates by 8%. However, its EBITDA beat was smaller at 5% on demerger-linked costs. PAT beat was a modest 2% on higher tax and lower other income. Order inflows continue to be robust relative to peer ABB India at 10% though missed our estimate by 5%.
“We resume with ADD as we value the stock at similar multiples to ABB at 50x P/E Sep-27 as Digital Industries (DI) margin challenge still persist. We note change on FY end to March end vs Sep earlier makes direct comparison superfluous for FY26E numbers,” JM Financial said.
Motilal Oswal has maintained its ‘Neutral’ stance on the stock, saying it wants to see a more broad-based ramp-up in scale before turning more positive. The firm noted that its current forecasts already bake in margin gains across divisions. It expects the smart infrastructure vertical to continue delivering strong growth, with a gradual pickup likely in the digital industries and mobility businesses as well.
Antique Stock Broking highlighted how Siemens has consistently reshaped its business model, moving away from being a pure industrial products player to becoming a technology-driven company aligned with investment themes across industry, infrastructure and transportation. The brokerage believes Siemens is well-positioned to ride the country’s ongoing capital expenditure cycle.
Haris is Deputy News Editor (Business) at news18.com. He writes on various issues related to personal finance, markets, economy and companies. Having over a decade of experience in financial journalism, Haris h…Read More
Haris is Deputy News Editor (Business) at news18.com. He writes on various issues related to personal finance, markets, economy and companies. Having over a decade of experience in financial journalism, Haris h… Read More
November 17, 2025, 13:18 IST
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