Satellite Connectivity for Rail
As an authorised reseller of Starlink for rail, Icomera’s satellite connectivity solution for trains enhances transport operators’ onboard connectivity strategy by integrating high-throughput, low-latency Internet. By leveraging Starlink for rail alongside other satellite and cellular networks, operators can deliver seamless passenger Wi-Fi and operational connectivity, even in the most remote and challenging environments.
How Can Starlink for Rail Improve Onboard Connectivity?
The quality of on-train Internet connectivity is highly dependent on the coverage and capacity of the communication networks along the route. Today, this connectivity is largely delivered through cellular networks.
Despite a fast roll-out of 4G and 5G cellular networks in densely populated areas, the technical and financial challenges of upgrading cellular networks means that terrestrial cellular capacity along rural or remote routes still can’t satisfy the bandwidth demands of a full passenger train.
Recent satellite technology developments and commercial models have made low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite solutions a viable option for providing uninterrupted, high-performance connectivity to moving vehicles where other networks fall short – offering a powerful and cost-effective addition to any transport operator’s connectivity strategy.
How Good is Starlink for Rail?
Providing yet another cutting-edge connectivity solution for public transport, Icomera has become an authorised reseller of SpaceX’s Starlink solution designed specifically for trains.
Starlink Electronic Phased Array Tiles for Rail are fully certified for installation on rolling stock, offering high-throughput, low-latency connectivity for rail transport.
Recent results of LEO satellite connectivity have been impressive, delivering the equivalent of inner-city 5G capacity to trains in rural environments with throughput consistently in the range of 200+ Mbps when aggregating dual Starlink terminals for rolling stock, and a latency of less than 40 milliseconds on average.
How Can a Hybrid Approach with Starlink Maximise Connectivity?
To truly make the most of Starlink connectivity and ensure a fully versatile, future-proof connectivity solution, transport operators can use Icomera’s SureWAN™ technology to simultaneously aggregate all available sources of capacity, including cellular and trackside networks.
Icomera has demonstrated that operators can achieve more than 99.99% availability by aggregating cellular links from multiple MNOs.
By adding Starlink, which is largely uncorrelated with cellular networks, operators improve availability even further, while significantly increasing the throughput performance of their existing onboard networks – Demonstrating the effectiveness of combining of cellular and satellite networks for train-to-ground connectivity.
With hybrid connectivity solutions, the industry is paving the way for a future where passengers, businesses, and communities stay seamlessly connected – whether in bustling city centres or the remote Arctic wilderness.
How Icomera has Led the Way in Rail Connectivity
As a pioneer of connected solutions for public transport, Icomera has been actively involved in multiple successful satellite connectivity tests since 2002, having identified its potential for public transport applications early on. Some of these have included trains in revenue service, while others have been technical trials aimed at pushing the technology to achieve its full potential.
Today, as a trusted reseller of Starlink solutions for rail, Icomera is bringing Internet connectivity closer to millions of passengers accessing onboard Wi-Fi services to stream entertainment content or conduct video calls.
The home broadband experience is getting closer when on the move.
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