Airtel Africa has made history by successfully testing high-speed satellite internet on a moving train, a first for a continent pushing for its digital future to move at the speed of innovation.
The breakthrough, achieved over a 669-kilometre railway stretch in Sub-Saharan Africa, signals a transformative leap for connectivity across the continent’s remote transport corridors.
The pilot, powered by Airtel Satellite for Business and Eutelsat OneWeb’s low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite network, maintained uninterrupted internet coverage as the train moved through dense forest and hilly terrain.
Luc Serviant, vice president of Airtel Business Africa Enterprise Division, revealed that speeds reached up to 100 Mbps for downloads and 20 Mbps for uploads.
He underlined that the successful test proves that high-capacity connectivity on moving railways is now possible in regions beyond the reach of fibre or mobile towers.
“This is a game-changer for African railways. The results highlight what’s possible: smooth connectivity across almost the entire route, minimal interruptions, low latency and consistent performance despite the train being in constant motion. The trial has already shown that satellite internet can deliver where other technologies cannot,” he said.
According to Serviant, reliable satellite internet on moving trains will enhance safety, improve operations, and transform passenger experience.
“It shows that technology can bridge Africa’s toughest connectivity gaps, from mining belts to forests and now across the rail network,” he added.
The successful pilot opens new horizons for the continent’s transport and logistics systems.
Real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, digital ticketing, and onboard Wi-Fi could soon become standard features. For passengers, the promise of streaming, communication, and productivity while travelling could redefine long-distance train journeys.
Serviant emphasised that the pilot is just the beginning in their goal to ensure no railway or community is left unconnected.
“Airtel, working with Eutelsat/OneWeb, is extending Airtel Satellite for Business across Nigeria, DRC, Zambia, Madagascar, and Gabon, bringing high-speed connectivity to some of the most remote parts of Africa,” he said.
Airtel’s experience in rail innovation stems from its deep roots in India, where the company recently partnered with Indian Railways to safeguard digital operations across 13 000 trains serving 20 million commuters daily.
The collaboration includes AI-driven cybersecurity and centralised monitoring across 26 locations, a model Africa could soon emulate.
With over 147 million customers and operations in 14 African markets, Airtel continues to expand its digital footprint through initiatives like rural broadband rollouts and satellite connectivity with Eutelsat.
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