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Written by Gabriel Lopez-Bernal

Icomera

In today’s trains, onboard connectivity means much more than passenger Wi-Fi. Operators rely on connectivity for everything from automatic passenger counting and digital video surveillance to real-time monitoring and remote diagnostics. But the quality of on-train Internet is highly dependent on the communications networks along the route—and there are still vast areas where the capacity of those networks falls short of the needs of a full passenger train.

To date, connectivity has primarily been delivered through cellular networks. Densely populated cities and suburban areas saw a fast rollout of the 4G and 5G cellular networks that are capable of handling high-speed Internet and multimedia experiences. But building those land-based networks along thin rail corridors that traverse rural areas has long posed technical and financial challenges, creating “not-spots” where connectivity was interrupted.

Thanks to satellites, “not-spots” are soon to become a thing of the past. Recent developments in satellite technology and new commercial models have finally made Low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite solutions viable. Led by Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite constellation, the new networks promise to make the inner-city 5G experience available everywhere—helping transit operators achieve true digital trains across every mile of their networks.

How Satellite Technology is Transforming Transit

While Starlink is new to the industry, this is not the first time satellites have been tried for trains. More than 20 years ago, geostationary satellites were a groundbreaking concept for on-train connectivity, but the technology came with significant challenges: Costs were exorbitant, throughput was limited and latency made many applications impractical.

The industry shifted gears with the rise of 3G and later 4G cellular technology. Cellular connectivity was faster, more cost-effective, and better suited to the needs of rail operators. But now, with the advent of LEO constellations like Starlink, the pendulum is swinging back. For the first time, satellite connectivity offers both high performance and affordable costs for transit.

Why does LEO technology work where geostationary fails? LEO satellites orbit at altitudes up to 2,000 km (744 miles), much closer to the Earth’s surface than geostationary satellites that reside at 35,786 km (22,187 miles) above the equator. Signals travel a shorter distance, resulting in lower latency. LEO satellites can also transmit and receive data faster—and the relatively affordable launches and mesh network configurations for redundancy mean more reliable global coverage.

The results for train connectivity have been impressive. The technology delivers the equivalent of inner-city 5G capacity to trains in rural environments, with throughput consistently in the range of 200-400 megabits per Starlink Terminal designed specifically for trains, and latency of less than 40 milliseconds.

Since January 2024, one intercity rail operator has been leveraging a multi-network connection among satellite, cellular and Wi-Fi. The operator saw a gateway performance of 99.9%, connecting 169,000 passengers who collectively accessed more than 2 terabytes, proving the viability and reliability of satellite Internet on the rails.

Why Satellites are Enabling True Digital Trains

As impressive as the results have been for riders scrolling social media or working on their commute, this isn’t just about better Wi-Fi for passengers. The same intercity rail operator is using Starlink’s network to transform its onboard operations, from real-time video surveillance—which can be used to detect lost luggage, violence or weapons—to integrated point-of-sale systems for seamless transactions.

But while LEO technology is exciting, it is not a silver bullet. Satellites will be beneficial in remote areas where cellular or trackside networks take more time and cost to deploy. But in urban environments where reliable cellular connectivity is already widely available, it often won’t make sense to rely solely on satellites. That’s why it’s vital to understand the connectivity along the entirety of a route so operators can deploy the right connectivity in the right way at the right points. LEO technology should form part of a wider connectivity strategy.

The transit industry is currently in a sweet spot where new technologies such as 5G, Wi-Fi 7 and LEO satellites are all becoming widely available. Together, they’re creating a fully digital train environment that is safer, smarter and more efficient for passengers and operators. Even in crowded trains, we’re seeing optimal performance, helped by further advancements in next-generation access points leveraging Wi-Fi 7 and onboard routers with more processing power at the network edge.

Passengers zipping through the countryside will soon be able to screenshare with their remote team or have a family call with zero interruptions. By delivering that strong connectivity everywhere along a route, rail leaders will be able to attract people out of their cars and off planes, and onto trains. It’s a vision worthy of the stars.

About the Author

Gabriel J. Lopez-Bernal, President of Icomera’s North America region, brings 20 years of transportation engineering experience with a focus on wireless communications in a mobile environment. His dedication to advancing sustainable technology investments positions him as a key advisor. Contact him at gabriel.lopez-bernal@icomera.com.