How Train Windows Can Improve 4G and 5G Connectivity: Insights from InnoTrans 2026
Poor mobile reception on trains is often linked to the windows themselves. Metallic coatings used on modern railway glazing provide important thermal performance, but they can also reduce the penetration of 4G and 5G signals into the passenger cabin. At InnoTrans 2026, Pulsaart by AGC and AGC Glass Europe presented two ways to address this challenge through the train window: WAVETHRU™ Retrofit and AGC’s Transparent 5G Glass Antenna.
How can mobile signal penetration through existing train windows be improved? WAVETHRU™ Retrofit by Pulsaart by AGC uses a precise laser treatment to modify the metallic coating of existing railway glazing, allowing significantly more mobile signal to pass through the window. The treatment is passive, nearly invisible and does not require powered equipment inside the window. It also preserves the glazing properties of the original window.
WAVETHRU™ Retrofit is designed for existing train fleets and can be applied to both flat and curved glazing while the windows remain installed on the train. Treatment takes place directly at the customer’s site and can be organised around the operator’s maintenance and operational schedule. This makes it possible to improve 4G and 5G signal penetration without replacing the glazing or making major changes to the train.
For new train designs and onboard connectivity architectures, AGC's Transparent 5G Glass Antenna offers another approach. The antenna is integrated into the train glazing and designed to receive 5G signals from trackside infrastructure and transfer them to the onboard connectivity system. By integrating the antenna into the window, the technology can support onboard Wi-Fi and mobile connectivity without relying on a conventional visible roof-mounted antenna.
Together, the two solutions show how railway glazing can play an active role in train connectivity. WAVETHRU™ Retrofit addresses signal attenuation through existing coated windows, while AGC’s Transparent 5G Glass Antenna integrates signal reception directly into the glazing. At InnoTrans, discussions with train operators, manufacturers and industry partners showed continued interest in practical ways to improve passenger connectivity across both existing and future fleets.
InnoTrans 2026 may be over, but improving mobile reception and onboard connectivity on trains remains an important challenge for the rail industry. If you are looking for a way to improve 4G and 5G connectivity through coated train windows, or want to explore how glass-integrated antennas could support your onboard connectivity architecture, contact Pulsaart by AGC to discuss the right approach for your fleet.
