In a historic breakthrough for connectivity across the African continent, Airtel Africa has successfully demonstrated high-speed satellite internet on a moving train traversing sub-Saharan Africa’s challenging terrain.
Rail transport has long been a vital lifeline for sub-Saharan Africa, facilitating the movement of millions of tonnes of freight and hundreds of thousands of passengers annually. However, vast sections of these extensive rail lines have historically been disconnected from modern communication networks, hindering operational efficiency and passenger experience. With this successful satellite trial, that disconnect is now being bridged.
Several partners initiated a pioneering trial to demonstrate the viability of satellite internet connectivity on a moving train traversing challenging terrains. This innovative test aimed to showcase how satellite technology can provide reliable, high-speed internet in remote and difficult-to-reach areas, thereby transforming rail communication and passenger experience across the continent.
The trial was powered by Airtel Satellite for Business, utilising the low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation from Eutelsat OneWeb, and Kymeta antenna technology. Throughout most of the journey between key cities, the train maintained a robust connection, demonstrating that satellite-based internet can deliver consistent, high-quality service even through dense forested areas and remote landscapes. The connection remained stable, with minimal interruptions, and proved capable of supporting various applications in motion.
To evaluate the system’s performance, Airtel conducted comprehensive testing along the entire route. The results were highly encouraging: coverage was maintained across nearly the entire journey, with download speeds reaching up to 100Mbps and upload speeds of 20Mbps. These speeds are more than sufficient to support both operational needs — such as real-time train management and safety systems — and passenger services, including multiple device connectivity. The trial traffic plan aimed for 100Mbps downlink and 20Mbps uplink, and the actual performance closely aligned with these targets, confirming the system’s ability to deliver reliable, high-capacity internet on the move.
The trial’s success highlights the remarkable potential of satellite technology to provide high-quality connectivity where other solutions fall short. It demonstrated smooth, consistent performance with low latency, even while the train was in continuous motion through remote and challenging environments. This achievement not only represents a technological milestone but also opens new avenues for enhancing railway safety, operational efficiency, and passenger experience.
For railway operators, reliable satellite internet enables real-time monitoring of train systems, predictive maintenance, and rapid emergency response, significantly improving safety standards. For passengers, this connectivity paves the way for onboard Wi-Fi, digital ticketing, real-time travel updates, and entertainment streaming — transforming lengthy journeys into more connected, productive, and enjoyable experiences.
This pioneering test proved that seamless, uninterrupted internet access is now achievable over a distance of 669km through dense forests and remote regions where traditional cell towers and fibre optic networks are absent.
This pilot is just the beginning. Building on this success, Airtel, in partnership with Eutelsat and OneWeb, is expanding Airtel Satellite for Business across Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, Madagascar, and Gabon. These initiatives aim to deliver high-speed connectivity to some of Africa’s most remote and underserved regions, extending the reach of modern communication.
