Six trains operated by ScotRail in the rural north of Scotland have started a six-month trial to provide onboard passenger Wi-Fi using Starlink’s low earth orbit (LEO) satellite network.
In partnership with Scottish connectivity solutions provider Clarus Networks, this project sees ScotRail offer a “world’s first” deployment of a rail-certified LEO satellite antenna.
Starlink, developed by SpaceX, uses a constellation of thousands of satellites in LEO – about 550km above the Earth – to provide high-speed internet access.
The six trains operating on rural routes from Inverness to Wick, Thurso, Kyle of Lochalsh and Aberdeen have been equipped with an onboard system powered by Starlink’s rigid terminal.
In such rural areas, where mobile coverage is often sparse, LEO satellites provide a cost-effective, rapidly deployable alternative to traditional infrastructure.
Mike Butler, director of rail and innovation at Clarus Networks, said: “Harnessing the power of LEO satellite technology helps overcome...
