Passenger WiFi on Trans-Gabon rail network

The Trans‑Gabon Railway is single‑track with passing loops, so capacity is limited by how many trains can safely meet and pass on their way between the seaport of Owendo and the eastern terminus at Franceville. Each year, the railway carries an estimated quarter of a million passengers as well as freight. As part of its structured national digital strategy, the Gabonese Government has set out to improve telecoms and network access across the country—including passenger WiFi for rail and public transport. The challenge for rail operator SETRAG was substantial:

• Difficult terrain: including long distances through dense equatorial forest and waterlogged embankments beyond the reach of terrestrial networks
• Lack of terrestrial coverage: No viable ground-based infrastructure across much of the railway corridor
• Passenger expectations: Growing demand for reliable broadband on trains travelling at speeds up to 100 km/hr

The Need: Reliable Broadband for SETRAG's Rail Operations

The Trans-Gabon Railway runs between the coast and the interior to ferry passengers and millions of tonnes of freight—including manganese ore and timber each year. SETRAG's connectivity requirements included consistent broadband for passengers as well as for operational data backhaul that would support train control systems and real-time asset tracking. The connectivity needed to be easily scalable to support strategic growth in rail traffic and expansion of digital services. SETRAG's connectivity requirements also included the need for an easily scalable network that would support growing demand as rail traffic and digital services expand.

The Solution: LEO Connectivity in Partnership with Airtel Gabon

Eutelsat partnered with established national telecommunications service provider Airtel Gabon to supply LEO connectivity for SERTRAG to deliver reliable, high-speed broadband across 650 km of track. Following successful testing in the first phase, the deployment achieved 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload speeds and was then implemented as part of the Gabonese Government’s national initiative.

Key deployment highlights:

• LEO satellite terminals installed onboard passenger trains
• Partnership with Airtel Gabon to deliver managed passenger WiFi services
• Integrating LEO connectivity into Gabon's digital infrastructure for nationwide modernisation programmes including public transport

Reliable broadband performance was achieved onboard train travelling at speeds of up to 100 km/hr. Eutelsat’s rail connectivity solutions connect rolling stock on the move beyond the range of terrestrial network coverage.

The Impact: Transforming the Trans-Gabon Railway Experience

This deployment delivered a rail connectivity solution for communications beyond the reach of terrestrial networks, with meaningful outcomes for Gabon’s rail ecosystem and passengers, including improved customer experience on long-distance journeys, and improved rail operations with better coordination. It also offers new opportunities for rail travel across the wider region. 

For more information on Eutelsat's connectivity projects and partnerships, visit the Eutelsat Media Centre.