With Starlink, Elon Musk is now targeting the rail industry
This page is translated from the original post "Avec Starlink, Elon Musk s’attaque désormais au rail" in French.
- 25/11/2024 18:03
The Starlink network owned by SpaceX will now be accessible from a train traveling in northern Scotland, ScotRail
It is the Scottish company Clarus Network Group that initiated this collaboration. The Scottish retailer of Starlink products has obtained the necessary certifications to equip antennas on trains. The first beneficiaries are the Class 158 trains operating on the “Far North” line of the ScotRail.
A very high-quality connection
Providing high-quality Wi-Fi service on this line has been challenging for ScotRail. Typically, the Wi-Fi available on trains is powered by a 4G network. The constant movement of trains and the imperfect distribution of areas covered by the 4G network explain why many trains experience network disruptions.
The Starlink network is different because it relies on over 5,000 satellites in low orbit. As a result, ScotRail should be able to offer passengers an internet connection that is “fast, reliable, and low latency”. And that’s not all — Starlink will also enable ScotRail to receive more real-time data on its trains. These data are also expected to be more reliable.
When will Wi-Fi be available on all trains and planes?
Elon Musk naturally responded to the news on X with a modesty that is not really characteristic of him. For Starlink, this marks a new step in the right direction for them, as it will soon be used on commercial aircraft. A test has already been conducted aboard a Qatar Airways plane. This could influence a real global change. For a long time, we have been promised fast and efficient Wi-Fi on planes and trains, but in reality, it is often ineffective or non-existent.
Read also: Starlink, Tesla’s unbeatable technological advantage?
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