Railway Network Solution Case Study: Connecting Kazakhstan's National Railway

Kazakhstan has one of the world's most geographically challenging terrains for a well-connected railway network—16,000 kilometres of track carrying millions of passengers and hundreds of billions of tonnes of freight each year. Maintaining continuous connection across such vast distances is no small feat, particularly when routes traverse remote steppes, mountainous terrain and extreme climates where traditional terrestrial infrastructure simply cannot reach.

The rail network itself faces persistent connectivity gaps along remote corridors, that create blind spots for the passengers onboard as well as operational data and real-time monitoring. These gaps affect everything from train positioning and signalling to predictive maintenance systems based on continuous sensor telemetry. Climate compounds the challenge: extreme weather events—from severe winter storms to summer heatwaves—place additional stress on equipment and communications hardware, increasing the risk of service disruption further.

Manual monitoring processes remain a significant bottleneck. Without reliable data flows, maintenance teams often depend on scheduled inspections rather than condition-based interventions, delaying responses to emerging faults and reducing overall network resilience. For a railway system supporting critical freight corridors between Asia and Europe, these connectivity challenges translate directly into operational risk, reduced throughput and diminished competitiveness on international routes.

The Need: Real-Time Data and Operational Resilience

In 2025 Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ) piloted a connectivity upgrade capable of addressing a set of operational and environmental challenges, such as reliable internet on board major train routes. For passengers and staff the journey from the capital Astana to Kazakhstan’s largest city, Almaty, takes 17 hours. Improving the connected passenger experience on a moving train would be a game changer and a pathway to other real-time operations such as; mobile terminals for conductors to facilitate quick ticket verification; point-of-sale for cashless payments & video surveillance systems to enhance security in railcars.​ ​

Other opportunities included improved grid stability for SCADA operations—enabling real-time control and monitoring of traction power, signalling systems and trackside equipment. Without resilient data flows, the risk of service disruption increases, particularly in regions where terrestrial networks are vulnerable to weather-induced outages or simply unavailable.

KTZ also sought to move beyond reactive maintenance practices to predictive capabilities that would detect degradation patterns early, automate manual inspection processes and trigger proactive interventions before failures occurred. This shift would require timely, dependable data transmission from distributed sensors and control systems back to centralised operations centres.

Equally important was the need for connectivity solutions certified for extreme environments—hardware and installations capable of withstanding Kazakhstan's severe temperature swings, dust storms and remote operating conditions. For a connectivity engineer overseeing assets in motion and across vast geographies, the priorities were clear: resilient real-time communications, hardware certification and adaptability to conditions that would challenge conventional terrestrial infrastructure.

The Solution: Enterprise-Grade Satellite Connectivity for Rail

Eutelsat delivered a comprehensive satellite connectivity solution for rail and road transport and worked with KTZ to install service on the Astana to Almaty line. At the heart of the solution lies Eutelsat's LEO architecture combining speed and low-latency —more than 600 satellites capable of connecting rolling stock across some of the most remote corridors in KTZ's railway network.

The solution comprises:

• Low-latency, high-speed data service guarantees ensuring real-time transmission of SCADA data, signalling information and operational telemetry
• Transparent service plans with clear visibility on data usage, enabling predictable budgeting and proactive capacity management
• Ruggedised, rail-certified hardware engineered to withstand extreme temperatures, vibration and environmental stress across Kazakhstan's varied terrain

This approach supports both passenger rail services—delivering reliable onboard WiFi and real-time journey updates—and freight operations, where continuous operational data flows enable predictive maintenance monitoring, asset tracking and automated infrastructure protection. By combining enterprise-grade reliability with the flexibility to scale, the solution delivers a new level of network resilience for modern rail operations. Trains remain connected to control centres, maintenance teams access live diagnostics and passengers stay informed throughout their journey.

We have demonstrated that even in challenging conditions, it is possible to provide passengers with high-speed (50-100 Mbps) and stable internet.

Zhaslan Madiyev, Minister of Digital Development, Innovation & Aerospace Industry​​

The Impact: Safer Operations and Improved Connectivity

The deployment of Eutelsat's satellite solution delivered measurable improvements for passengers and staff on the Almaty to Astana line. Continuous, low-latency links underpinned real-time operational visibility and enabled control centres to monitor infrastructure health and rolling stock performance. The connectivity onboard also strengthened safety protocols and incident response times, reducing the risk of service disruptions.

The project generated tangible operational benefits:

• Improved passenger experience with dependable onboard services and communications throughout journeys, even in previously underserved rural segments
• Reduced failure rates through predictive maintenance capabilities enabled by continuous telemetry and condition-based diagnostics
• Scalable, flexible connectivity that can support a wider scope of KTZ operations—from the 13.6 million annual passengers to the 302 billion tonnes of freight traffic handled in 2024

Looking ahead, this project positions KTZ as a digitally-enabled railway operator ready to integrate advanced analytics, automation and next-generation rail technologies. By establishing a resilient connectivity backbone, KTZ has created the foundation for continuous modernisation—improving efficiency, sustainability and service quality across Kazakhstan's critical transport infrastructure. Explore how enterprise connectivity solutions can support rail network transformation at scale.
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What connectivity challenges do national railway networks face?

National railway networks must maintain uninterrupted data flow across thousands of kilometres of track, often through remote corridors where terrestrial infrastructure is sparse or absent. Extreme climates—from freezing winters to intense summer heat—place additional stress on both physical equipment and communication links, whilst dense urban landscapes and mountainous terrain create further coverage gaps. Without reliable connectivity, organisations risk losing visibility over critical SCADA systems, operational telemetry and safety-critical communications.

How does satellite technology support railway operations?

Satellite connectivity delivers low-latency, high-speed data across entire railway networks, including areas beyond the reach of ground-based networks. Eutelsat offers multi-orbit architectures—combining GEO and LEO satellites—to provide resilience and consistent performance even during adverse weather or infrastructure outages. This enables real-time monitoring of train positions, track conditions and onboard sensors, ensuring continuous data exchange between moving assets and central control centres whilst supporting both operational technology and passenger services.

What solutions does Eutelsat offer for rail connectivity?

Eutelsat provides enterprise-grade satellite connectivity tailored to the demands of railway environments. The company's multi-orbit network delivers low-latency, high-bandwidth connectivity Solutions include ruggedised, rail-certified hardware designed to perform reliably under extreme temperatures, vibration and motion, alongside flexible service plans that offer clear visibility on data usage and scale with fleet size. The multi-orbit network delivers low-latency, high-bandwidth connectivity that supports simultaneous voice, video and data flows, integrating seamlessly with existing operational systems.

How does predictive maintenance benefit railway organisations?

Predictive maintenance transforms railway operations by enabling continuous condition monitoring of rolling stock and trackside infrastructure through real-time telemetry. Satellite connectivity ensures that sensor data flows reliably from remote assets to central analytics platforms, allowing maintenance teams to detect faults early, schedule interventions proactively and reduce unplanned downtime. The result is improved asset availability, optimised maintenance windows, lower repair costs and enhanced safety—ultimately improving service reliability and passenger experience.

Where can I find more railway connectivity resources?

For additional case studies, press releases and technical insights on railway connectivity solutions, visit the Eutelsat Media Centre. There you will find detailed information on how organisations worldwide are deploying satellite connectivity to modernise rail networks, enhance operational resilience and support digital transformation initiatives across diverse geographies and service environments.