Globalsat Brasil, a Brazilian affiliate of satellite telecommunications company Globalsat Group, says it is leading the modernisation of communications for the locomotives of logistics company VLI Logística, in partnership with Viasat.
As part of a ten-year project aimed at modernising railway operations across Brazil, Globalsat Group is deploying a hybrid satellite and LTE connectivity solution to deliver fast, highly reliable communications and implement a series of improvements for VLI.
The project was custom-developed to meet the specific needs of VLI, which describes itself as a company that provides sustainable multimodal logistics solutions for its clients. VLI integrates its ports, railways and terminals with other transport modes to serve Brazil’s key regions dedicated to manufacturing, steel production, mining and agricultural goods
Globalsat says the modernisation project supports the operation of VLI’s current onboard systems and paves the way for the evolution and integration of new technologies, including Positive Train Control (PTC) – a system that monitors and automatically controls trains to ensure safe operations – as well as the introduction of advanced signalling. With real-time fleet data monitoring, VLI will be able to manage its network more efficiently and reduce transit times.
The solution also enables VLI’s control teams to communicate directly with locomotive operators in emergencies or to provide critical information about impending issues, reducing response times from minutes to seconds.
The modernisation covers more than 1,800 kilometres of railway network in the states of São Paulo, Goiás, and Minas Gerais, including strategic points such as the Port of Santos (SP). The hybrid satellite/LTE service ensures reliable and resilient coverage, even in areas without LTE connectivity. The project is currently in the commissioning phase.
The customised Globalsat Group/VLI solution aims to modernise and standardise the licensing of locomotives and rail-road vehicles through IP data communication, ensuring that VLI’s trains meet interoperability standards and can operate with greater agility across any railway network in the country.
Flávio Pfeifer, signalling and telecommunications specialist at VLI, explains: “Railways increasingly rely on advanced telecommunications systems to control and monitor locomotives. For train licensing, telecommunications systems are crucial as they ensure compliance with regulatory and safety standards.”
Flávio Franklin, General Director of Globalsat Brasil, says: “Fast communication is crucial because it provides greater control over railway network operations,” adding: “In the future, services like this could enable advanced signalling, automation, real-time mobile applications and assisted operations, maximising the value of supply chains.”
