Airtel Africa has successfully tested high-speed satellite internet on a moving train across 669 kilometers of remote, forested terrain in Sub-Saharan Africa, marking a historic step toward bridging the region’s digital divide.
Announced on October 6, 2025, the groundbreaking trial, powered by Airtel Satellite for Business and Eutelsat OneWeb’s low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation, delivered uninterrupted connectivity through areas where traditional cell towers and fiber optics are absent.
The test demonstrated stable, high-speed internet with download speeds up to 100 Mbps and upload speeds of 20 Mbps, meeting the trial’s traffic plan and enabling seamless performance for both train operations and passenger needs.
Railways, a vital lifeline transporting millions of tonnes of freight and hundreds of thousands of passengers annually across Sub-Saharan Africa, have long suffered from connectivity gaps in remote regions. This successful pilot changes that narrative.
Conducted along a route connecting key cities, the trial achieved near-complete coverage, with minimal interruptions and low latency, even through dense forests. The robust connection supported multiple devices, paving the way for transformative applications.
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For railway operators, this technology unlocks real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and faster emergency responses, enhancing safety and efficiency. Passengers stand to benefit from onboard Wi-Fi, digital ticketing, real-time travel updates, and entertainment streaming, turning long journeys into connected, productive experiences. “This is more than a technological milestone,” said an Airtel spokesperson. “It’s about improving safety, efficiency, and passenger comfort across Africa’s railways.”
The trial is part of Airtel’s broader push to expand its Satellite for Business service, in partnership with Eutelsat OneWeb, across Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, Madagascar, and Gabon. From oil fields to mining sites and now moving trains, this initiative underscores satellite technology’s potential to connect Africa’s most remote regions.
As Airtel scales up its satellite offerings, this pioneering test signals a new era of connectivity, promising to redefine travel and operations across the continent’s vast railway network.
