Despite the best (or, in the UK, worst) efforts of European train operators, Wi-Fi has become an expected part of a European rail journey, but while simple connectivity is now close to universal, digital content platforms remain the exception and offering just Wi-Fi is no longer enough, according to research from entertainment, e-commerce and transport connectivity services firm Moment.
Providing a background to the study, the Onboard digital entertainment across European rail report, Moment Database 2026 edition, Moment noted that connectivity is increasingly a baseline expectation rather than a competitive differentiator. What operators let passengers do once connected is becoming “the next point of contest”.
It emphasised that delivering reliable connectivity on a moving train remains technically demanding as tunnels, network handovers and the physical structure of the train can affect signal quality. This, said Moment, makes onboard content hosting an important complement to connectivity. By storing entertainment and information locally rather than relying solely on live streaming, it said passengers can continue watching, listening or reading seamlessly, even when external connectivity is temporarily unavailable or unstable.
The study examined connectivity across 48 long-distance rail brands in 26 European countries for a typical reference journey of 90 minutes or more. Wi-Fi and connectivity data were verified as of August 2026 and onboard content catalogues assessed in the second quarter of 2026, based on first-hand data for nine out of 10 so-called “full” platforms. Full refers to an on-demand video entertainment platform deployed fleet-wide, while “partial” covers either video available on part of the fleet only, or non-video content (audio, podcasts, press) available fleet-wide with no on-demand video.
Overall, the study documented a clear gap between connectivity and onboard entertainment. A key finding was that Wi-Fi was available on 44 of 48 long-distance rail brands studied (92%), free of charge on 42 of those 44 (95%). Only 10 of 48 brands (21%) offered a full onboard platform across their fleet, while a further four provided a partial service or audio content only.
Looking regionally, all three French brands in the study combine Wi-Fi with an onboard platform, and in Italy, Frecciarossa/Frecciargento and Italo do the same. Outside high-speed rail, only three of 32 conventional, national and mixed long-distance brands run a full onboard platform (Intercités, ČD and RegioJet), with a further two offering a partial service, even though their journeys were regarded as long, high-speed services.
Another key trend highlighted in the study was that there was a noticeable shift from connectivity to a broader passenger experience. Films, series, podcasts, press and games formed the core of most onboard platforms. A smaller group of operators went further, adding destination guides, learning programmes and well-being services tailored to the passenger, according to the route or the moment of the journey.
Finally, the study revealed that onboard platforms are becoming more than a passenger amenity. By creating a direct digital channel between operator and passenger, they can support destination and station commerce, advertising, loyalty programmes and upselling – new revenue streams built on top of the journey itself.
Commenting on the study, Moment CEO Tanguy Morel said: “Rail has reached an important turning point. Over the past decade, the industry has made significant progress in bringing connectivity onboard, with 92% of brands now offering Wi-Fi. Connectivity is therefore no longer the end goal for rail.”
