Eutelsat has tested OneWeb LEO rail connectivity on a live network in Poland aboard a PKP Intercity passenger service running between Kozłów, Warszawa, and Tczew. The field trial evaluated low Earth orbit satellite links on rolling stock operating at line speeds reaching 160 km/h.
Systems integrator ACO Solutions directed the technical deployment, while Spanish satellite operator HispaSat served as distribution partner alongside Eutelsat. The trial represents the first operational assessment of Eutelsat’s OneWeb low Earth orbit constellation across the Polish national railway network.
Eva Bisgaard, President of Eutelsat’s Connectivity Business Unit, said: “The successful completion of our trial aboard a long-distance train is an important milestone for Eutelsat, demonstrating how our LEO connectivity can support both the passenger experience and increasingly digital rail operations.
“Our solution gives rail operators the flexibility to prioritise different connectivity needs and evolve as passenger expectations and operational requirements change. We look forward to bringing reliable, future-ready connectivity to rail operators across Europe and beyond.”
Kymeta Kestrel u5 terminal specs and power
Field engineers mounted a Kymeta Kestrel u5 terminal directly to the PKP Intercity train to maintain active satellite tracking at transit velocity. The flat-panel device recently secured rail certification through TÜV Rheinland to confirm operational compliance under railway environmental conditions.
Hardware survivability dictated several core design choices for the terminal. The enclosure meets an IP69K ingress protection rating, guarding the internal phased-array antennas and electronics against dust, high temperatures, and high-pressure wash cycles encountered during train maintenance.
Power consumption averaged below 100 W during mobile operations. This low electrical draw reduces integration demands on auxiliary rail power supplies while maintaining uninterrupted radio frequency links.
Interfacing Eutelsat OneWeb LEO satellite links with trackside systems
Technical personnel focused the evaluation on continuous data capture and the transmission handover dynamics between satellite links and existing terrestrial trackside networks. The satellite architecture connects onboard systems with central dispatchers and trackside control infrastructure, targeting both commercial passenger internet delivery and freight telemetry.
Joanna Siecińska, Member of the Management Board for Finance and Business Development at PKP Intercity, said: “For PKP Intercity, the success of these tests is an important step toward providing passengers with a more reliable and seamless Internet connection throughout their journey.
“Thanks to the excellent cooperation between all project partners, we were able to validate this solution under real operating conditions and explore technologies that could further enhance onboard connectivity, passenger comfort, and the overall travel experience in the future.”
The joint engineering team gathered telemetry along the Kozłów–Warszawa–Tczew corridor to measure service continuity across varied terrain and track layouts. Data gathered during the live runs will guide subsequent multi-network integrations across European passenger and freight operators.
Earlier this month, Eutelsat confirmed it’s allocating around one billion euros for 229 additional satellites for its OneWeb network. On top of the existing 440 additional satellites ordered from Airbus, an additional contract was signed for the extra satellites. Satellites from the initial order are expected to launch in the coming quarter, while the remaining 229 will follow in phases up to 2034.
See also: Eutelsat and Skynopy deploy Global AKAR satellite ground network
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