• Airtel Africa and Eutelsat OneWeb tested satellite internet on a moving train, reaching speeds up to 100 Mbps across remote terrain.
• The trial showed satellite broadband can improve rail safety, logistics, and passenger services where mobile and fiber fail.
• It supports AU and AfCFTA goals and expands Airtel’s satellite reach in Nigeria, DRC, Zambia, Madagascar, and Gabon.

Airtel Africa has successfully tested satellite-powered internet connectivity on a moving train, demonstrating that uninterrupted high-speed broadband can be maintained across a stretch of remote and forested terrain in Sub-Saharan Africa. The telecom company announced this milestone on October 6.

The pilot, conducted in partnership with Eutelsat OneWeb, used Airtel Satellite for Business -  the operator’s enterprise connectivity arm designed to deliver broadband services in hard-to-reach locations- to provide consistent connectivity where traditional mobile and fibre networks are unavailable. The connection remained stable for most of the journey between key cities, achieving download speeds of up to 100 Mbps and upload speeds of 20 Mbps, meeting the technical benchmarks set for the trial.

“This trial shows that satellite internet can deliver reliable, high-speed connectivity across some of Africa’s most challenging transport corridors,” Airtel Africa said in a statement. Railways play a critical role in the economy, transporting millions of tonnes of freight and hundreds of thousands of passengers each year. However, much of the region’s rail infrastructure passes through areas without reliable network coverage, limiting operational efficiency and real-time communication.

With satellite-enabled broadband, railway operators can improve safety systems, predictive maintenance, and emergency response, while passengers gain access to Wi-Fi, real-time updates, and digital ticketing. The technology also enables logistics data integration, helping railways align more closely with regional trade networks. The trial underscores the potential of satellite technology to fill the connectivity gap on transport routes where mobile and fixed broadband are insufficient. Across Africa, fixed-broadband infrastructure remains scarce and costly, making mobile networks the dominant access point for internet users.

According to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), by 2024, mobile broadband covered 86% of Africa’s population, leaving 14% without any connection at all—a figure that rises to 25% in rural areas. While 70% of Africans are within 4G coverage, 16% still rely on 3G, which offers lower speeds and limited online experiences. Satellite-powered rail connectivity could directly address these gaps by ensuring continuous, high-speed access across rural and transit corridors, where neither fibre nor mobile networks can reach. This would also open new possibilities for digital ticketing, logistics tracking, and real-time train operations, critical for modernising transport infrastructure.

Extending connectivity to transport networks and remote areas supports regional development goals such as the African Union’s Digital Transformation Strategy (2020–2030) and complements investment in smart infrastructure and logistics digitisation under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).The test forms part of Airtel Africa’s broader push to expand enterprise-grade satellite internet solutions across Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, Madagascar, and Gabon.

The company joins a growing number of African operators deploying satellite broadband to complement terrestrial networks. Eutelsat OneWeb, Starlink, and Avanti Communications are among the key players expanding LEO-based connectivity to support industries such as mining, energy, and transport. For Airtel, which serves over 150 million mobile subscribers in 14 African markets, the partnership with Eutelsat OneWeb strengthens its ability to offer connectivity in previously underserved regions and support mission-critical communications for public and private sector clients.

Airtel Africa said the successful test demonstrates that satellite technology can deliver consistent, high-capacity internet in motion, even across difficult terrain. Future deployments could help bridge digital gaps across national rail corridors, enhance logistics efficiency, and improve passenger experiences on long-distance routes. “From oil fields to mining sites—and now moving trains—satellite connectivity is showing its potential to expand Africa’s digital footprint,” the company said.

Hikmatu Bilali