Czech Railways to test Elon Musk’s Starlink internet on its trains

This Czech national carrier will be among the first in Europe to adopt the technology as it begins testing Starlink internet on its InterPanter units.

Expats.cz Staff

Written by Expats.cz Staff Published on 18.01.2025 10:58:00 (updated on 19.01.2025) Reading time: 2 minutes

Czech Railways (České dráhy) will soon begin testing Starlink, the satellite internet technology developed by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, on its trains. The technology will initially be implemented on InterPanter units, which serve routes such as Brno to Olomouc and Prague.

With the introduction of Starlink, Czech Railways aims to improve internet connectivity for passengers, particularly on longer journeys. The move places the Czech Republic among the first European countries to trial Starlink on trains.

This comes after other European rail operators, such as Lithuania’s state railways, also began testing the satellite internet system. For Czech Railways, the pilot project will test the viability of Starlink to provide faster and more reliable internet for train passengers.

Starlink’s potential for improved connectivity

Starlink operates through a network of low-orbit satellites that promise lower latency and more reliable internet than traditional satellite systems. Czech Railways anticipates that the use of Starlink will enhance internet speed and reduce connection disruptions experienced by passengers on longer journeys.

"We will become one of the first European railway operators to test the technology with specially adapted antennas on trains," Michal Krapinec, CEO of Czech Railways, recently told CzechCrunch.

“The Starlink loan and testing is free, we will only pay for minor technical modifications to the train so that the antenna can be installed and tested.”

The pilot project is expected to begin within a couple of weeks, as the first Starlink antenna arrives to the Czech Republic from the U.S.

Impact on passenger experience

The primary benefit for passengers is the promise of faster, more reliable internet during their travels. This is especially important for those who work or need to stay connected while commuting. Starlink communicates with satellites in low Earth orbit, providing a connection that is closer and more stable than traditional geostationary satellites.

The Starlink project is just one part of Czech Railways’ broader effort to enhance internet access on trains. Krapinec emphasized that the company is also working to upgrade existing routers, install repeaters, and even laser-treat windows to allow better penetration of mobile signals.

In addition to the Starlink initiative, Czech Railways is focusing on improving in-train Wi-Fi and mobile signal, particularly on its high-speed trains such as Pendolino and Railjet. As part of these efforts, the company aims to enhance the 5G network connectivity across its fleet.

Nearly 800 new Wi-Fi connections were added to Czech Railways trains in 2024, according to Krapinec, covering around 90 percent of the long-distance trains operated by Czech Railways. The trend of increasing demand for internet access on trains is growing, with many passengers now considering Wi-Fi as an essential part of their journey.

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