RebelRoam, a leading innovator in connectivity solutions for passenger transportation, is thrilled to announce a pilot project with Latvian railway brand Vivi to improve passenger Wi-Fi.

The objective of the trial is to map Vivi rail network for cellular and Starlink low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite connectivity, determining the optimal combination of these technologies for deployment across Vivi’s train fleet.

The current test involves Peplink multi-modem routers that combine 4G/5G frequencies from different mobile operators and Starlink connectivity into a single fast and stable internet connection. With growing demand for fast and reliable onboard connectivity, many transport providers are exploring the possibility of offering Wi-Fi using a combination of cellular and satellite data.

Over the last few years Starlink satellite connectivity has proven itself in the maritime industry. More recently, long distance rail companies such as Brightline, LTG Link, Elron and ScotRail have been testing Starlink as a backup to cellular connection. Starlink is rapidly gaining popularity among passenger rail operators worldwide.

“Connectivity has become a vital aspect of modern travel,” said Tarvo Topolev, CEO of RebelRoam. “This partnership with Vivi underscores our commitment to delivering reliable and high-speed internet solutions that meet the growing expectations of passengers in the digital age.”

“We have started the tests with RebelRoam to determine the availability of 4G/5G frequency signal coverage on railway network. Our ultimate objective is ensure the availability of reliable internet coverage for passengers during the entire journey, as well as to achieve the optimal operation of various systems on trains that require a stable data transmission network connection” says Raitis Nešpors, chairman of the board of AS “Pasažieru vilciens”.

The trial phase will test the effectiveness of combining 5G and Starlink technology onboard Vivi’s trains. This hybrid approach ensures redundancy, enabling uninterrupted internet access even in remote areas where terrestrial networks may falter.