PKP Intercity plans satellite internet pilot on Pendolino trains after trials beat GSM speeds

Pilot launch on passenger routes

Polish national rail operator PKP Intercity plans to launch a five-month satellite internet pilot on an active Pendolino route between late October and early November 2026. The trial represents the carrier's first test of satellite connectivity on a service carrying paying passengers, who will receive post-trip surveys to evaluate connection stability. Previous technical testing across the network took place strictly on empty trainsets without passengers.

Joanna Siecińska, PKP Intercity board member for finance and business development, detailed the shift to real-world passenger testing.

Until now, we have tested satellite internet on trains without passengers. Now we want to learn our passengers' opinions, which is why a survey will be conducted after the journey. We assume that the pilot will last five months.

Connectivity tests in network dead zones

The carrier initiated technical evaluations to resolve connectivity dropouts in rural and non-urban areas, commonly designated as white spots on route maps. Cellular signals from partner GSM operators frequently deteriorate or fail in sparsely populated regions because of inadequate base station infrastructure along track corridors. PKP Intercity intends to use low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellations to fill these geographical gaps rather than replacing mobile network infrastructure entirely.

This concerns zones far from urbanized areas where the connection disappears due to insufficient infrastructure of cooperating GSM operators. We want to develop these areas and use satellite internet in these specific points on the map. It will not replace the services of GSM operators, but will constitute a complementary service.

Recent evaluations demonstrated that satellite connectivity maintained very good internet quality across 55% of total travel time. By contrast, traditional terrestrial GSM networks delivered comparable quality during 18% of travel time on the same routes.

Testing history and rollout schedule

The evaluation process began in February 2025, when PKP Intercity deployed Starlink hardware aboard ED160 Stadler Flirt trainsets. In August 2025, technicians conducted secondary trials aboard Pendolino units. Testing expanded further in August 2026 to assess European low Earth orbit infrastructure, specifically the OneWeb network operated by satellite communications firm Eutelsat.

If the upcoming five-month passenger trial yields positive results, PKP Intercity plans to install permanent satellite internet receivers on Pendolino trainsets during scheduled general overhauls between 2028 and 2029. Fleet installations of satellite receivers will remain restricted to Pendolino trains and planned future high-speed rolling stock.

Fleet Wi-Fi and digital platform changes

Alongside satellite trials, the operator reported that 100% of its electric multiple units and 70% of its passenger carriages currently provide onboard Wi-Fi. The company is pursuing several related digital initiatives scheduled for introduction before the end of 2026. These include a graphical seat selection interface for domestic journeys involving transfers, expanding a feature previously limited to direct services where connecting legs received automated seat assignments.

The carrier is also testing self check-in functionality on Pendolino trains, allowing passengers to validate tickets directly within the mobile application and removing the requirement for onboard conductor inspections. Development additionally continues on the carrier's new Central Sales System.