Bangladesh has launched a pilot program using SpaceX’s Starlink satellite network to deliver onboard Wi-Fi to passengers traveling on moving trains. The trial marks the first time satellite-powered internet has been tested on the country’s railway system and is part of broader efforts to improve connectivity across public transportation.
The pilot program launched on March 13 and is being overseen by Bangladesh Satellite Company Limited (BSCL) in partnership with Bangladesh Railway. For the first phase of the trial, the satellite-powered Wi-Fi service is available on three intercity trains — Parjatak Express, Upaban Express, and Bonolota Express.
Passengers on those routes can currently connect to the onboard network free of charge while the system is being tested.
Testing Internet Connectivity
The goal of the pilot is to evaluate how well satellite broadband performs on trains travelling at speed, where maintaining a stable internet connection can often be challenging. Conventional mobile networks frequently struggle to provide reliable coverage along rail corridors, particularly in rural regions or areas with limited cellular infrastructure.
Starlink’s low-Earth-orbit satellite constellation offers a different approach by delivering internet connectivity from space rather than relying entirely on ground-based towers. In theory, that should allow trains to maintain a more consistent connection even when travelling through remote areas.
Early speed tests during the trial have delivered encouraging results. Independent measurements recorded download speeds ranging from roughly 8 Mbps to 88 Mbps, with upload speeds between 13 Mbps and 47 Mbps. Latency during the test runs typically ranged between 23 milliseconds and 47 milliseconds, while peak performance recorded through the Starlink app reached about 136 Mbps download.
Part of a Wider Connectivity Initiative
Officials say the Starlink trial is part of a broader effort to improve digital services across Bangladesh’s public transportation system.
If the pilot proves successful, railway officials say the service could gradually expand to additional high-demand intercity routes in the future.
The government is also planning to expand free Wi-Fi access at airports and railway stations as part of a wider initiative to improve internet availability in public spaces.
For passengers, reliable onboard connectivity could change how train travel is used. Travellers may be able to attend online classes, complete remote work, communicate digitally, or stream content while travelling.
Satellite Internet Gaining Traction on Rail Networks
Bangladesh is not the first country to explore satellite-powered internet on trains. Rail operators in several other regions have also begun experimenting with Starlink connectivity to address coverage gaps along rail corridors.
In the United Kingdom, South Western Railway has been testing Starlink on passenger trains travelling through areas with persistent mobile signal blackspots. Early results from those trials reported coverage levels of up to 97 percent along sections of the network.
Italy’s national railway operator has also been evaluating the technology for high-speed routes such as the Rome–Milan corridor, while in the United States the Brightline passenger rail service began offering Starlink connectivity to passengers in 2023.
