Train Operator Gives Satellite-Delivered Connectivity a Highland Fling

Trains trundling across the remote moorlands of northern Scotland will soon be able to offer passengers free high-speed WiFi. This is in spite of the sparse cellular coverage in the lochs and glens. Instead, the trains will be able to hook up to satellite delivered broadband to provide the service as part of a year-long trial funded by ScotRail and the Highlands and Islands Enterprise organisation.

The pilot system is due to go live this autumn and will run until at least the end of 2025. According to reports in ISP Review, the costs will run at about £26,700 per two-car train to deliver, which is after the one-off design costs of £95,000 and one-off system integration of £40,000. This means that the first train conversion will cost around £162,000.

This means that the total cost of implementing the system on all 25 of the Class 158 trains based in Inverness could reach £802,500, if the trial proves a success.

Robert Gardner, the Associate Director of the Scottish FT, told the Inverness Courier, “High-speed broadband internet access on trains would be a major step towards improving the passenger experience and could provide significant benefits to both passengers and train operating companies.”

Satellite communications featured in several projects in the pioneering days of on-train WiFi. GNER, as was, employed it to provide in-fill coverage and terrestrial back-up between 2004 and 2010 and SNCF and Thalys ran satellite links to trains for several years before deciding that the associated operational and maintenance costs were too high.

More recently, however, changes in antenna technology, lower data costs and increased demand for blanket coverage has led to a renewal of interest in what satellites can offer the rail industry. This, combined with a more compatible link-up with emerging 5G services, means that satellite companies are no longer left on the outside looking in.

Other train operators, including Ukrainian Railways, new US train operator Brightline and Lithuanian Railways have all recently announced that they plan to use, or trial, satellite-delivered internet connectivity using Starlink – SpaceX services.

Starlink says it can deliver high-speed, low-latency Internet connections to users all over the world. This is made possible via its constellation of over 4,000 satellites operating in a low orbit of only 550km above the Earth, compared to 35,786km for geostationary satellites. It also says it can provide a seamless connection even in the most rural areas and all along most train tracks.

Recently CGI, started work with the UK’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, the UK Space Agency, the European Space Agency (ESA) and Icomera to demonstrate a hybrid satellite and terrestrial communications network for use on trains in remote parts of Britain’s rail network.

The UK, US and Lithuanian satellite projects will be among the many train-to-shore connectivity services discussed at this year’s WiFi on Trains Conference – Traincomms 2024 (www.Traincomms.com)

This year’s WiFi on Trains Conference – Traincomms 2024, will take place on the 13th and 14th of November at the Royal Horseguards Hotel, London.

For more information on getting involved please see www.Traincomms.com or contact Ross.Parsons@BWCS.com .

Traincomms 2024 is being sponsored by Huber+Suhner, Westermo, CGI, Boldyn Networks, Galgus and Icomera. Oxyfi, Antonics and Polomarconi will be exhibitors.

The latest programme is available here http://traincomms.com/#content2b