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Telegraph
3 days ago
- Business
- Telegraph
Elon Musk's Starlink lined up to solve train Wi-Fi rage
Elon Musk's Starlink satellites are being looked at as a potential solution to solving the issue of patchy Wi-Fi on Britain's trains. Train operators in England and Wales are examining whether the satellite-based internet provider could be used to boost connectivity after a six-month trial of the technology began in Scotland last month. Starlink's constellation of more than 7,000 low-Earth orbit satellites could help maintain connectivity on the mainline when trains lose contact with a mast. In addition to minimising lost internet connections, satellite connectivity would also allow passengers and staff to make Wi-Fi phone calls and allow accurate GPS-based tracking of trains. Clarus Networks, based near Glasgow, is spearheading the push after securing regulatory approval to fit trains with Starlink equipment that was originally developed to provide inflight Wi-Fi on aircraft. Jamie Duncan, the company's marketing manager, said: 'We're in discussions with a number of potential users. It's much quicker to implement than masts and much more reliable.' While the cost of satellite Wi-Fi can be higher in some cases, Mr Duncan said it was generally competitive with installing cellular masts, especially in remote locations, and can sometimes match the cost of broadband fibre networks. It comes as the Government prepares to unveil plans to improve on-train Wi-Fi through a collaboration between track owner Network Rail and private network providers. While the initiative will focus on improving ground-based infrastructure, it is expected to leave room for satellite-based systems to eliminate remaining gaps in coverage. Clarus is trialling Starlink technology for ScotRail on lines from Inverness to Wick, Aberdeen and Kyle of Lochalsh that often divert many miles from the nearest mast. The company said it was working with a number of train operators elsewhere in the UK. Those include Transport for Wales (TfW), which runs trains for the Welsh government and plans to commence testing later this year after consulting with Clarus and ScotRail. A TfW spokesman said the trials were likely to be held on services from Cardiff to Holyhead and Manchester. Mr Duncan said Clarus had also held discussions with FirstGroup about satellite connectivity and said the Department for Transport (DfT) had expressed an interest in the Starlink technology. Tackling tunnels While FirstGroup is set to lose its West Coast and Great Western contracts as a result of the nationalisation of the network, it plans to remain in UK rail via so-called open access operators including Hull Trains and Lumo, which operate on the East Coast main line. FirstGroup said it had held 'exploratory conversations' with Clarus. The group's South Western Railway arm became the first operator in Europe to introduce superfast 5G Wi-Fi last month, days before the line was taken under state control. Moves are also under way to address the loss of connectivity when trains enter tunnels, putting them beyond the range of both satellites and conventional masts. LNER, which runs trains on the East Coast Main Line, said last month that in a first for the railway, a complex of tunnels outside King's Cross station had been fitted with a custom-built antenna system, boosting Wi-Fi links for passengers using the O2 and Three networks. A spokesman for Network Rail described the Scottish experiment as 'an exciting innovation' and said satellites were likely to be 'part of the answer to securing decent mobile and Wi-Fi connectivity for passengers across Britain'. A Department for Transport spokesman said: 'We are supporting train operating companies' trials to assess the suitability of satellite technology to deliver significant connectivity benefits for the railways.' Separately, The Telegraph has learnt that BT has held talks with Starlink over a deal that could see it resell satellite dishes to consumers. The tie-up has been under discussion for months as Starlink seeks to expand in the UK and sign more customers up to its broadband service. It also hopes to serve customers around the world with mobile phone signals from space. For BT, a deal with Starlink could help deliver signals to hard-to-reach rural areas that are not cost-effective for fibre cables. The former telecoms monopoly already uses its satellites to carry signals to mobile masts to improve speeds and reduce so-called not-spots.
Business Mayor
12-05-2025
- Business
- Business Mayor
Elon Musk's Starlink trialled on ScotRail trains
ScotRail will use Elon Musk's satellite technology to supply passenger wi-fi on trains for the first time during a six-month trial. Six trains in the north of Scotland have been fitted with equipment that connects to the low Earth orbit (Leo) satellite network Starlink. The trains operate on the Inverness to Wick, Thurso, Kyle of Lochalsh, and Aberdeen services. ScotRail said the new system was a first for the UK in terms of onboard passenger wi-fi and, if successful, could be rolled out to south of Scotland services. The trial could also lead to the roll-out of the technology across the other class 158 trains in ScotRail's fleet. This would cover several rural lines including the West Highlands, Stranraer, Dumfries and the Borders. ScotRail said it would also help to influence the inclusion of the technology when buying new trains. The publicly-owned rail operator has partnered with Clarus Networks, which sells access to billionaire Musk's Starlink satellites in the UK. Business Minister Richard Lochhead said reliable internet connections would make passengers' journeys more enjoyable. ScotRail strategy and planning director, Scott Prentice, added: 'The project addresses the long-standing challenges we've had for train connectivity in the region, and we hope it will lead to a future roll-out of the technology across other rural routes in Scotland.' Musk, the controversial owner of Tesla and currently senior adviser to US President Donald Trump, has been criticised by senior figures in Scotland politics, including First Minister John Swinney. He has also publicly clashed with Swinney's predecessor Humza Yousaf. READ SOURCE
STV News
12-05-2025
- Business
- STV News
Musk's Starlink to provide internet on rural trains in Scotland
Elon Musk's Starlink will provide internet access for trains in the far north of Scotland, it has been announced. The world's richest man, who has drawn criticism from a number of figures in Scotland over his political stances in recent years, uses his company SpaceX to operate a series of low-earth orbit satellites. As part of a six-month trial, the network will be used to provide connectivity for six trains between Inverness and Thurso, Wick, Kyle of Lochalsh and Aberdeen. The initiative is part of a partnership between ScotRail and the Bathgate-based Clarus Networks – a reseller of Starlink equipment. The connections will provide customer Wi-Fi as well as GPS tracking of trains and live CCTV. If successful, the pilot – backed by the Government, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the Scottish Futures Trust – could be rolled out along other rural rail routes across Scotland. Responding to the announcement, business minister Richard Lochhead said: 'This technology is set to be a boost for Highland commuters and visitors, improving access to digital services. 'It will enable passengers to access services and apps that will make their journeys more enjoyable and more productive. 'As set out in last week's programme for government, the Scottish Government places great emphasis on digital connectivity. 'It supports Scotland's economic resilience and helps everyone, regardless of location, to access improved public services and opportunities.' ScotRail strategy and planning director Scott Prentice added: 'There has been a lot of hard work by our staff and our partner, Clarus Networks, to get to this point, and I am looking forward to seeing how customers interact with the new technology on our trains. 'The project addresses the long-standing challenges we've had for train connectivity in the region, and we hope it will lead to a future roll-out of the technology across other rural routes in Scotland.' Controversial Tesla owner Musk has come in for criticism by some at the highest levels of Scottish politics, including First Minister John Swinney, who described comments made by Musk about safeguarding minister Jess Phillips – calling her a 'rape genocide apologist' – as 'reprehensible'. Musk has also publicly clashed with Swinney's predecessor Humza Yousaf. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
BBC News
12-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
ScotRail trials wi-fi using Elon Musk's Starlink satellites
ScotRail will use Elon Musk's satellite technology to supply passenger wi-fi on trains for the first time during a six-month trains in the north of Scotland have been fitted with equipment that connects to the low Earth orbit (Leo) satellite network trains operate on the Inverness to Wick, Thurso, Kyle of Lochalsh, and Aberdeen said the new system was a first for the UK in terms of onboard passenger wi-fi and, if successful, could be rolled out to south of Scotland services. The trial could also lead to the roll-out of the technology across the other class 158 trains in ScotRail's would cover several rural lines including the West Highlands, Stranraer, Dumfries and the said it would also help to influence the inclusion of the technology when buying new publicly-owned rail operator has partnered with Clarus Networks, which sells access to billionaire Musk's Starlink satellites in the Minister Richard Lochhead said reliable internet connections would make passengers' journeys more strategy and planning director, Scott Prentice, added: "The project addresses the long-standing challenges we've had for train connectivity in the region, and we hope it will lead to a future roll-out of the technology across other rural routes in Scotland."Musk, the controversial owner of Tesla and currently senior adviser to US President Donald Trump, has been criticised by senior figures in Scotland politics, including First Minister John has also publicly clashed with Swinney's predecessor Humza Yousaf.
The Herald Scotland
12-05-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Elon Musk's Starlink technology launches on ScotRail's Highland trains
ScotRail has worked with Clarus Networks to design the new system which allows the trains operating in rural Scotland to connect with a Low Earth Orbit satellite network. It uses Starlink technology, and it is hoped it will address the long-standing connectivity challenges in the region. It is used on trains which will be in service from Inverness to Wick, Thurso, Kyle of Lochalsh and Aberdeen. It has been supported by the Scottish Government, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, and the Scottish Futures Trust. It is hoped it will help ScotRail improve customer experience with better Wi-Fi, increasing calling capabilities for customers and staff, GPS tracking of trains, on-board CCTV access and improved journey information for customers. MSP Richard Lochhead with ScotRail's Scott Prentice (Image: ScotRail) Customers will know they are on one of the trains with signage and stickers and if it is successful, it could lead to the roll-out of the technology across the remaining class 158 trains in the ScotRail fleet, which would cover other rural lines including the West Highlands, Stranraer, Dumfries and the Borders. Richard Lochhead MSP, Business Minister, said: "This technology is set to be a boost for Highland commuters and visitors, improving access to digital services - a central theme at today's Convention of the Highlands and Islands. 'It will enable passengers to access services and apps that will make their journeys more enjoyable and more productive. 'As set out in last week's Programme for Government, the Scottish Government places great emphasis on digital connectivity. It supports Scotland's economic resilience and helps everyone, regardless of location, to access improved public services and opportunities." Scott Prentice, ScotRail Strategy and Planning Director, said: 'The launch of this trial is fantastic news for our customers using services in the north of the country, and will have a very positive impact on their journey experience. 'There has been a lot of hard work by our staff and our partner, Clarus Networks, to get to this point, and I am looking forward to seeing how customers interact with the new technology on our trains. Read More 'The project addresses the long-standing challenges we've had for train connectivity in the region, and we hope it will lead to a future roll-out of the technology across other rural routes in Scotland.' Mike Butler, Clarus Networks Director of Rail & Innovation, said: 'This project marks a major step forward in closing the digital divide for rural rail routes. By harnessing the power of Low Earth Orbit satellite technology, we're able to deliver fast, reliable connectivity in some of the most remote parts of the UK rail network. 'This approach helps overcome the coverage and performance limitations of traditional mobile networks – a challenge faced by rail operators globally. We're proud to work with ScotRail and our partners to prove what's possible and help shape the future of rail communications – improving both operational performance and the experience for passengers.' Neil Rutherford, Scottish Futures Trust Head of Digital Connectivity, said: 'This trial in the Scottish Highlands builds on our expertise of creating innovative solutions to deliver connectivity in many underserved locations across Scotland. 'Our work is very much about considering new ways of delivering the telecoms infrastructure and mobile signal that communities and businesses regard as vital and is reflected in other groundbreaking initiatives we are currently trialling with satellites on board Orkney ferries, providing passengers with ultra-fast internet access.'
