Lisbon, June 22, 2026 (Lusa) - Portugal's passenger train operator, CP – Comboios Portugal, is carrying out connectivity trials with Elon Musk’s Starlink to improve internet access on the Alfa Pendular trains, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Housing announced on Monday.
In a statement, the ministry said that CP “is carrying out experimental satellite connectivity tests on one of the Alfa Pendular trains with a view to offering faster and more reliable Wi-Fi on board”.
The technology uses satellite communication antennas to complement the current on-board communications system, which is supported by national mobile networks, it added.
“The solution enables a stronger internet connection in areas where mobile coverage is more limited, significantly improving the digital experience for passengers on board,” the ministry continued.
The pilot project “enables the collection of technical and operational indicators to assess the stability of the solution in terms of coverage, performance and the actual quality of the service” and “is using Starlink technology”, which has been installed on one of the Alfa Pendular trainsets.
“Stable, reliable, high-quality Wi-Fi throughout the journey will become a reality because people must be at the heart of transport policy. It is undoubtedly another strong incentive for the Portuguese to use public transport,” says Miguel Pinto Luz, minister for infrastructure and housing, quoted in a press release.
In a separate press release, CP states that the pilot project aims to improve the quality of the on-board internet service, “particularly in sections of the route with poorer mobile coverage”.
“This is a project that will enable us to assess the performance in a real-world commercial operating environment. The aim is to provide customers with faster, more stable and low-latency internet, delivering a better digital experience on board,” the press release states.
“This pilot project represents another decisive step in the modernisation of our services, reinforcing CP’s commitment to providing its customers with a more comfortable, connected travel experience in line with current technological standards,” said the Chair, Pedro Moreira, quoted in the statement.
The initial results obtained “are positive”, according to CP.
“In the initial tests, satellite technology accounted for around 19% of the total traffic recorded on board, playing a particularly significant role on sections of the line where the terrestrial mobile network performs less well.”
Based on the results, “the potential for a future, larger-scale implementation across CP’s services will be assessed”.
The project forms part of the “company’s modernisation strategy, reinforcing its commitment to innovative technological solutions that contribute to a more reliable, better-connected rail service in line with passengers’ expectations, enabling continuous improvement of the travel experience”, concludes CP.
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