RZD begins testing Bureau 1440 satellite communications equipment on trains
In short
Russian Railways (RZD) has started testing satellite communications equipment from aerospace company Bureau 1440 on its trains, deputy CEO Evgeny Charkin said. The tests began about a month ago and are going well, and Charkin estimated high-speed internet could appear in Russian trains in 2028. TASS separately reported the first showing in Russia of a mini terminal for low-orbit satellite communications, designed for rescue brigades and emergency crews.
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Russian Railways (RZD) has begun testing satellite communications equipment from Russian aerospace company Bureau 1440 on its trains, RZD deputy CEO Evgeny Charkin said, according to Kommersant. Charkin said the tests started about a month earlier and were going well. [ 4 ]
Speaking at the Digital Solutions forum, Charkin said the company would equip its trains once the infrastructure being built by its colleagues is ready. “Therefore we look with confidence at the fact that when the infrastructure deployed by colleagues is ready, we will promptly take it up and equip our trains and provide passengers with quality communications,” he said. He estimated that, with the necessary equipment available, high-speed internet would appear in Russian trains in 2028. [ 4 ]
RIA Novosti reported on 6 October that satellite communications terminals for rail transport would begin testing in Russia, and said the following day that testing of satellite communications in trains had begun. TASS reported on 6 October that Russia had for the first time shown a mini terminal for low-orbit satellite communications, being developed as a portable communications means for rescue brigades and crews of emergency services, geological expeditions and other wearable scenarios. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
According to Kommersant, the connection in the train is to be built through Bureau 1440's low-orbit constellation and an on-board terminal: a navigation and communications device that receives and processes satellite signals will be placed on the roof of the train. A railway terminal, 1440.ЗЕМЛЯ, designed for stable data transmission at speeds up to 400 km/h, is already used for high-speed movement. [ 4 ]
The launch date depends not only on putting satellites into orbit, Kommersant reported. Mass use also requires a ready broadband access system and subscriber terminals with a cost acceptable to the mass market; it is the development and scaling of these that determine when the tested equipment can be deployed on trains. Low orbit reduces signal delay compared with traditional satellite communications, but an expert estimate cited by the outlet put the requirement for full Earth coverage at a constellation of at least 500 satellites. [ 4 ]
Why it matters
If the equipment is deployed, passenger trains could get broadband internet through a domestic low-orbit satellite constellation, a use case that goes beyond fixed coverage. The 2028 date depends on the operator's infrastructure and on affordable subscriber terminals, according to the company's own account.
Key facts
- RZD began testing satellite communications equipment from Russian aerospace company Bureau 1440 on its trains, deputy CEO Evgeny Charkin said. [ 4 ]
- The tests started about a month ago and are going well, according to Charkin. [ 4 ]
- Charkin estimated high-speed internet will appear in Russian trains in 2028, provided the necessary equipment is available. [ 4 ]
- Connection in the train is to run through Bureau 1440's low-orbit constellation and an onboard terminal placed on the roof of the train. [ 4 ]
- The 1440.ЗЕМЛЯ railway terminal used is designed for stable data transmission at speeds up to 400 km/h. [ 4 ]
- TASS reported the first showing in Russia of a mini terminal for low-orbit satellite communications, developed as a portable means of communication for rescue brigades, emergency crews and geological expeditions. [ 1 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- Whether the mini terminal shown for portable use is part of the same programme as the railway equipment. The documents describe the mini terminal and the railway tests separately and do not link them.
- The exact start date of the railway tests. Kommersant cites only an approximate period of about a month before 7 October; no other document gives a date.
- When the equipment will be deployed at scale. The 2028 figure is an estimate given by RZD's deputy CEO and is tied to conditions he said are not yet met.
- Where the tests are taking place. No document states a location.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- TASS reports the first showing in Russia of a mini terminal for low-orbit satellite communications for portable use. [ 1 ]
- RIA Novosti reports that satellite communications terminals for rail transport will begin testing in Russia. [ 2 ]
- RIA Novosti reports that testing of satellite communications in trains has begun. [ 3 ]
- Kommersant reports that RZD has begun testing Bureau 1440 satellite communications equipment in trains, citing deputy CEO Evgeny Charkin, who says the tests started about a month earlier. [ 4 ]