Lithuanian railways (LTG) will test internet provided by Starlink satellites on its trains. The three-month pilot on a LTG Link train is scheduled to start in the second quarter of this year, making use of Starlink equipment of Space X.
“We are looking at all the solutions available on the market to improve wireless internet services on trains when they pass through forested, less populated areas where internet connectivity is intermittent”, says Vytautas Bitinas, Director of Technology at LTG.
“We have already tested and evaluated several other solutions available on the market, and we will soon start testing satellite internet connectivity on trains”. A contract worth 6,864 euros has already been signed with Belgian company Venn Telecom to purchase the necessary equipment and testing services.
The first contacts with Space X were initiated by the Lithuanian Ministry of Transport and Communications in early 2021. Shortly afterwards, Space X set up its own subsidiary in the country, Starlink Lithuania. They started operations in Lithuania at the end of 2021. Currently, Starlink has launched nearly 4,000 satellites, which communicate with designated ground transceivers. Starlink also provides internet to Ukrainian railways, where it is deployed on train stations.
“I am pleased that LTG is trying to innovatively solve a problem often raised by customers, which for so long has not been overcome in cooperation with traditional telecommunications companies. I hope that the satellite internet connection will prove to be a success and that all passengers will be able to enjoy uninterrupted connectivity throughout their journeys”, said Lithuanian Minister of Transport and Communications Marius Skuodis.
LTG is also working with the country’s mobile operators to offer better and better Wi-Fi to customers travelling by train, and has also tested an on-board amplifier.
Source: https://www.railtech.com/digitalisation/2023/04/24/lithuanian-railways-pilots-starlink-internet/