SOUTH Western Railway (SWR) has become one of the first train operators in England to trial satellite-powered onboard Wi-Fi, using Starlink’s Low Earth Orbit (LEO) network to keep customers connected through even the most remote parts of its network.
The trial, run in partnership with Angel Trains and Clarus Networks, is being tested on a Class 444 train that will run on the routes between London Waterloo, Portsmouth Harbour and Weymouth. On the Weymouth route, the trial will provide a major boost to internet coverage through the New Forest, an area known for mobile signal blackspots.
Early testing results have been promising, with coverage rates of 97% achieved so far.
This milestone is the latest step in SWR’s investment to transform the onboard Wi-Fi experience for customers and it is now the first UK train operator to offer three options for providing on-board connectivity. The trial follows the introduction of superfast Rail-5G Wi-Fi earlier this year between Earlsfield and Basingstoke.
The upgrade delivers speeds up to 20 times faster than traditional mobile network connections, powered by trackside antenna technology. Customers travelling within the superfast area can now browse and stream at speeds closer to their home networks.
SWR has also improved reliability by introducing multi-SIM technology, enabling trains to automatically switch between UK mobile operators to maintain the strongest possible connection. In collaboration with Siemens, cabling and onboard equipment on the Class 444 and 450 fleet have also been upgraded, ensuring faster, more stable connectivity for every journey.
These connectivity upgrades enabled by Icomera, give SWR’s customers a unified onboard Wi-Fi service. By aggregating satellite, superfast, and multi-SIM mobile technologies, SWR’s service automatically connects customers to the best combination of the available connectivity options at each moment of their journey, creating a seamless experience.
With stronger Wi-Fi available across more of the network, customers are spending their journeys more like they would at home or at the office without interruption. Since running these connectivity upgrades, SWR’s Wi-Fi usage has surged by 58%, now enjoyed by over 1 million users every month, showing how much customers value the ability to stay connected without losing signal in the middle of an episode of their favourite programme.
According to new customer experience survey data conducted by RCXS, SWR’s onboard Wi-fi offer is rated among the best in the industry, with 76% of customers reporting a positive experience.
To coincide with the launch, SWR has revealed new data* showing how customers have been using faster Wi-Fi compared to May 2024, highlighting how usage habits have changed over the past year:
- Music lovers are streaming over 100,000 songs every day, with a 140% increase
- YouTube viewing has skyrocketed, with customers watching 256 hours daily
- TikTok fans enjoy nearly 100 hours of videos per day, up 300%
- Commuters are also getting more done, with customers now spending 289 hours a day in virtual meetings and sending 407,000 emails daily while on board
Peter Williams, South Western Railway’s Customer and Commercial Director said:
“We know how important reliable Wi-Fi is to our customers – it supports productivity, keeps people connected and entertained and makes rail an even more attractive and sustainable way to travel.
“By bringing satellite technology to our trains, we’re covering some of the hardest-to-reach parts of the network and showing that seamless connectivity is possible wherever you travel. This is another big step towards improving the onboard experience for our customers and we are excited to see how it can benefit more routes across our network in future.”
Lord Hendy, Rail Minister, said:
“A good Wi-Fi signal can transform a journey and SWR’s Wi-Fi trial is a game changer for passengers.
“With Christmas and new year celebrations just around the corner, passengers travelling for the holidays can enjoy their journeys knowing they’ll stay connected - whether that’s to watch their favourite festive films, do last-minute shopping or catch up with loved ones at this special time of year. This is exactly the kind of improvement rail operators under public ownership can deliver to put passengers first and make rail travel enjoyable for all.”
Cllr Andy Hadley, portfolio holder for Climate Response, Environment and Energy at BCP Council, said:
“Reliable digital connectivity is now a key benefit to our communities when choosing public transport over driving.
"South Western Railway’s investment in satellite-powered onboard Wi-Fi is a fantastic step forward, ensuring that residents, commuters, and visitors can stay connected even through the most rural parts of our region, especially the New Forest.
"This innovation not only supports productivity and convenience for passengers but also strengthens our commitment to making sustainable travel a great choice for everyone.
"We look forward to seeing the benefits of this technology across our network and continuing to work with partners to deliver a modern, connected transport system for trips to and from Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.”
Cllr Richard Biggs, Dorset Council’s Cabinet member for Economic Growth, said:
“This is very welcome news, we know from our own mobile coverage analysis that the user experience onboard trains is particularly challenging so any initiative that will help improve this situation and allow our residents and businesses to stay connected when travelling is an exciting development.
“We recently trialled low orbit satellites as a way of improving mobile coverage for the heritage Swanage Railway line, and it proved to be hugely successful. That area has very poor mobile connectivity, largely thanks to the Purbeck hills. However, our trial proved that low orbit satellites can overcome even the most difficult and remote terrains.
“Having access to reliable high-quality connectivity when mobile, including when travelling, is essential for economic growth. It will not only help bring more business to Dorset but will also ensure those that are already here can be efficient and competitive.”
Barry Fox, Angel Trains Ltd’s Head of Product Management said:
“Angel Trains is proud to be delivering this technology on board our trains alongside South Western Railway. We recognise the benefits that good, reliable connectivity can provide to the passenger experience, whether it be to remain connected for work or to enjoy valuable downtime, and are excited to deliver this 12-month trial. This project has been made possible because of our unique position in the industry, working closely with our partners Clarus Networks, Icomera (dg8) and Siemens to deliver a fully integrated and operational solution.”
