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Brazilian rail operator Rumo is using Starlink and 4G connections across more than 500 locomotives and railcars to keep trains in touch with its control center where cellular coverage drops, according to connectivity supplier Autotrac.
Autotrac’s commercial director, Márcio Toscano, described the setup Thursday at the Movecomm industry event in Brazil, according to an event report. The count is of pieces of equipment, locomotives and railcars, not of whole trains.
How the hybrid connection works
Autotrac calls the service hybrid connectivity because it combines satellite and cellular networks. It was developed with Starlink and uses 4G networks from carriers including TIM, Claro and Vivo, switching between ground and satellite links to keep data moving, Toscano said. The point is real-time contact between each train and Rumo’s operations control center along routes where phone coverage is patchy.
Other uses Autotrac described
Toscano said Rumo also uses cameras with artificial intelligence to spot signs of driver fatigue. Autotrac also serves road-concession and utility vehicle fleets, including Copel in Paraná state, where vehicles act as mobile hotspots for crews. One of its next projects is high-speed Wi-Fi for passengers on intercity and charter buses.
In plain words: trains cross long stretches where phone signals fade. Rumo’s equipment can switch to a satellite link so controllers stay in touch with crews, according to the company that supplies the service.
JBizNews Desk | Brazil
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