Satellite Connectivity for Rail
As the world’s leading provider of connected solutions for transport, Icomera’s satellite connectivity solution for trains enables transport operators to enhance their onboard connectivity strategy by integrating high-throughput, low-latency Internet.
By combining satellite networks with cellular and trackside networks, operators can deliver seamless passenger Wi-Fi and operational connectivity, even in the most remote and challenging environments.
Key Facts
- Icomera’s onboard networks aggregate all available communication links simultaneously using Icomera’s SureWAN™ algorithm. This means that all available capacity from multiple terrestrial cellular and multiple satellite networks will be available for use by the onboard network.
- It is simple and cost-effective to add satellite communication to new or existing Icomera installations.
- Attractive data pricing when compared to cellular data and offers additional, scalable capacity and availability along even sparse, rural routes.
- Icomera has active satellite deployments on passenger services in North America and Northern Europe, with freight deployments in Southern Europe.
- Icomera’s satellite solutions are fully supported by its ICONIC network monitoring and configuration tools.
- Icomera is an authorised reseller of Starlink solutions and its dedicated EN 50155-certified rail-tile antenna.
- The Starlink solution offers priority data for in-motion use.
Over 25 Years of Experience in Satellite Connectivity Solutions
As a pioneer of connected solutions for public transport, Icomera has been actively involved in multiple successful satellite connectivity tests since 2002, across a range of LEO-sat providers, 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, Icomera has launched active deployments on passenger services in North America and Northern Europe, as well as freight deployments in Southern Europe. Additionally, as a Tier 1 authorised reseller of Starlink solutions for rail, Icomera is bringing the home broadband experience closer to millions of rail passengers accessing onboard Wi-Fi services on the move.
Why Starlink?
We see Starlink as the leading source of satellite connectivity today, due to its expansive constellation and SpaceX’s extensive satellite launch capabilities; however, as a leading solution integrator and provider of onboard hybrid networks, we have the capabilities and experience of working with other satellite providers.
Key Facts:
- Over 9,000 satellites launched as of July 2025
- FCC authorization to launch 4,408 Ku-band satellites and 7,500 V-band satellites
- First generation Starlink-network is planned to consist of approx. 12,000 satellites
- 2nd generation Starlink network proposed to contain 29,988 satellites (but this could rise to more than 40,000 according to some sources)
- Subscribers are mass-adopting Starlink services at scale
Sources: FCC; SpaceX, Via Satellite.
Benefits of Satellite Connectivity for Rail Transport
- Satellite adds additional capacity along highly trafficked train routes and only needs a clear view of the sky
- Trains moving through sparsely populated and rural areas receive high-bandwidth connectivity with high availability
- Contributes to more competitive data pricing in many regions across the globe
- Increases availability & capacity for train-to-ground communications when combined with existing connectivity sources
- Improves passenger satisfaction and acts as an enabler for train digitalisation across a wide range of applications
- Does not require lengthy, expensive, land-based infrastructure rollouts in order to function
- Scalability: Simply add more satellite antennas for additional capacity, at schedules tailored to avoid service disruption
- Fully uncorrelated with cellular networks, making the combination of cellular/satellite perform very well, with a high “minimum” experience
Cutting-Edge Technology, Purpose-Built for Rail
Peak Performance, Purpose Built for Public Transport
Starlink for rail equipment includes a purpose-built phased-array UTA-222-R antenna and power supply unit (PSU), which are both EN 50155 certified and designed for use on trains.
- Antennas and cables are sourced by Icomera
- Icomera ensures that all hardware is installed and configured according to Starlink’s requirements for operation
- It is simple and cost-effective to add Starlink satellite communication to new or existing Icomera installations
- The Starlink solution is fully supported by Icomera’s ICONIC monitoring and configuration tools
Design & Engineering Services Tailored to Your Requirements
Icomera offers full end-to-end integration support for all types of trains and ensures that satellite connectivity equipment will be properly installed and configured.
Icomera’s Design and Engineering division (DG8) has extensive experience integrating satellite solutions for Icomera and others, and is available to assist with any design work and installation required – all planned according to operators’ schedule requirements to avoid service disruptions.
Data Plan & Pricing
High-Bandwidth Satellite Connectivity at Highly Attractive Prices
Icomera’s satellite data plan for rail offers high-capacity network connectivity at highly competitive prices compared to terrestrial cellular mobile networks, along with a host of benefits:
- High-speed mobile business price plan with prioritised data & 99.9% network uptime SLA
- Flexible price plans which can be upgraded, downgraded, or paused if necessary
- Satellite solutions are fully monitored & managed by Icomera
- 60-day roaming across countries in supported regions (e.g. Europe, North America)
- Highly attractive per-GB data pricing vs. cellular and trackside providers
Hybrid Connectivity Solutions for Public Transport
While LEO satellite connectivity solutions provide an impressive level of capacity and availability on their own, aggregating satellite networks with cellular, trackside, and even other satellite networks as part of a “hybrid strategy” improves the overall capacity and reliability of the connectivity being supplied to the vehicle; filling coverage gaps and ensuring a more seamless experience overall.
Invented in 1999 and improved upon ever since, SureWAN™ is one of Icomera’s core proprietary technologies. Specifically designed for use on public transport, SureWAN empowers Icomera’s multi-modem mobile access routers to aggregate all available cellular capacity across multiple cellular modems in parallel, delivering the fastest, most reliable connection possible to the moving vehicle.
Using SureWAN in conjunction with Icomera’s satellite solution for rail, transport operators can aggregate and use all available communication links simultaneously, ensuring that the available capacity from multiple terrestrial cellular and multiple satellite networks is available for use by the onboard network.
The hybrid satellite connectivity solution is very simple and cost-effective to install or scale up – Operators can easily add additional satellite antennas to new or existing Icomera installations. Satellite solutions are also fully supported by Icomera’s ICONIC monitoring and configuration tools.
Read our “Satellite Connectivity for Rail Transport” Brochure
Related Reading
Integrating Satellite Technology as Part of a Hybrid Connectivity Strategy
In this article, we examine the role that satellite technology can play in ensuring uninterrupted connectivity for public transportation vehicles: Icomera’s SureWAN™ link aggregation protocol empowers transport operators to take full advantage of all wireless communications technologies, including emerging Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite technologies, as part of their overall connectivity strategy. Satellite networks become...
Exploring the Frontiers of Connectivity: Arctic Circle Starlink Connectivity Trial
The Arctic Circle trial proved that LEO satellites can effectively support public transport networks in regions with comparatively low cellular network capacity, offering a viable alternative where traditional infrastructure falls short. Starlink, of which Icomera is an authorised reseller, delivered speeds nearly ten times faster than cellular networks, making it ideal for bandwidth-heavy applications like...
Icomera and SpaceX Starlink to Transform Onboard Rail Connectivity
Empowering rail networks with ingenious satellite technology to deliver uninterrupted connectivity. Benefits for passengers and operators, enhancing both Wi-Fi services and intelligent operational systems. Successful trials show impressive results, with 200-400 Mbps throughput per Starlink Terminal designed specifically for trains. First installations expected in Q1 2025, delivering cutting-edge technology to the rail industry. Icomera has...
Get in Touch for More Information
GET IN TOUCH