Multi-taskers aboard passenger trains in the United Kingdom could someday post a Facebook update or upload a Google doc with the help of a drone.

Earlier this year, U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron announced a new initiative to boost mobile connectivity and provide free Wi-Fi access aboard the trains of four major companies that, combined, account for more than 500 million journeys annually. The government has contributed $78 million (£50 million) to fulfill its pledge, but how exactly trains will become Wi-Fi hotspots remains an open question.

That's where drones come into the picture.

Boosting the Signal

Sitting aboard a train is a perfect time to get some work done, but life on the rails isn't exactly 4G-friendly. Tunnels, trees, and thick metal train carriages make it quite difficult to maintain a reliable signal from point A to B.

"Dropped calls and intermittent access to the internet are frustrations felt by many rail passengers," U.K. rail minister Claire Perry has said.