Czech Railways (České dráhy) has announced that it will continue testing Starlink satellite internet services on its trains through the winter months, becoming the first rail operator in the Czech Republic to trial the SpaceX system under varying weather conditions.
The extended pilot programme will allow the company to assess how the system and roof-mounted antenna perform during snow, frost, and other challenging weather. Passengers can currently encounter the “satellite train” on routes between Brno–Česká Třebová–Prague and Brno–Břeclav–Přerov–Olomouc.
“The Starlink high-speed satellite internet represents one of the ways we can improve Wi-Fi availability onboard our trains,” said Michal Krapinec, Chairman of the Board and CEO of České dráhy. “Because we are taking this testing very seriously, we decided to extend it through the winter months to see how the system and antenna behave in snow, frost, and similar conditions.”
He added that the pilot has also demonstrated economic benefits.
“The terminal itself remains free for us to use, and the data rate is roughly one-third of what we normally pay to mobile operators. That will be one of the important factors we consider when deciding on further use of Starlink in the coming months.”
Over 5 TB of data used during testing
Since the beginning of the trial, passengers have already used more than 5 terabytes of data through the Starlink system. The installation involves mounting a Starlink terminal on the roof of one of the lead cars, connected via dedicated cabling to the train’s power source.
The technology is integrated into the InterPanter train’s existing Wi-Fi and multimedia system, and is used exclusively to provide internet access for passengers. České dráhy emphasised that Starlink does not interact with any of the train’s control or safety systems.
High-speed satellite connectivity for rail
Developed and operated by SpaceX, Starlink provides high-speed, low-latency internet through the world’s largest satellite constellation in low Earth orbit. The system supports demanding activities such as streaming, online gaming, and video calls.
The Starlink Kit designed for railway applications meets EN 50155 and other rail-specific standards, ensuring resilience and safety in mobile environments.
SpaceX, as a global leader in spaceflight and satellite communications, leverages its experience in spacecraft design and operations to deliver advanced broadband services even in remote and high-mobility contexts.
By testing Starlink, České dráhy is exploring new ways to enhance passenger connectivity while potentially reducing operational costs — part of its broader commitment to improving the onboard experience and adopting innovative digital technologies.
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