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Fast Trains, Faster Internet: Czech Railways Teams Up with Elon Musk’s Starlink

Fast Trains, Faster Internet: Czech Railways Teams Up with Elon Musk’s Starlink
photo: ChatGPT/Illustrative photo; created via AI
21 / 01 / 2025

Czech Railways will be among the first in Europe to test high-speed satellite internet onboard trains this spring via Elon Musk's Starlink.

Do you take the train to work, study, or watch movies? Poor internet connectivity can easily ruin your plans. To address this, Czech Railways (České dráhy) is partnering with SpaceX, Elon Musk’s company, to bring Starlink high-speed internet to trains. The first antenna for this groundbreaking service could be tested in just a few weeks, making the Czech Republic one of the first European countries to adopt the technology.

Starlink is already available in the Czech Republic and is used on trains in Lithuania and Ukraine, with Lithuania adopting it for its state railways in April 2024.

How Czech Railways Will Test Starlink

"We’re getting the technology directly from Starlink, without intermediaries," explained Michal Krapinec, CEO of Czech Railways. "The equipment will be loaned to us for free; we’ll only cover minor train modifications to install and test the antenna. This will make us one of the first rail operators in Europe to test this technology with a specially designed antenna for trains."

The first antenna will be installed on an InterPanter unit, which connects Brno, Olomouc, and Prague. While the exact train hasn’t been decided yet, Krapinec mentioned, "We’ll have more information after evaluating the pilot operation and testing in cooperation with the Czech Telecommunications Office."

A prototype Starlink antenna for trains is expected to arrive from the United States in late January. Czech Railways will be among the first in the world to test it.

Why Is Internet Connectivity So Poor on Trains?

The primary culprit is physics. A train’s metal structure creates a Faraday cage, which blocks or disperses electromagnetic waves (signals). Even windows, designed with strengthening additives, contribute to signal obstruction. Another factor is the sheer number of connected passengers onboard, which strains the available network.

Czech Railways aims to address these issues by:

  • Upgrading onboard routers,
  • Installing signal repeaters, and
  • Implementing laser modifications on train windows to improve signal penetration.

Starlink’s high-speed internet will be the crown jewel of these efforts.

Ongoing Connectivity Upgrades on Czech Trains

Czech Railways has already started installing 5G signal repeaters on long-distance trains like Pendolino, Railjet, and InterPanter. These enhancements aim to improve connectivity significantly. More than 200 train cars will also undergo laser window modifications to further boost signal reception.

"Our internal surveys show that more of our customers view Czech Railways as a modern and innovative company," said Krapinec. "It’s our goal to meet these expectations and solidify our position as a technological leader among domestic rail operators."

Currently, 9 out of 10 long-distance trains are equipped with Wi-Fi, which remains the highest demand among passengers. Across the Czech Republic, 4,800 train services now offer wireless internet, an increase of 800 services compared to last year.

Source: České dráhyiDnes.czCzech Crunch

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