Rumo has become the first rail operator in Brazil to install Starlink satellite connectivity from SpaceX on approximately 400 locomotives, enabling stable two-way communication between trains and the control centre even on stretches without reliable mobile coverage.
The system acts as a third connectivity channel alongside mobile networks and traditional satellites. Dedicated low-Earth-orbit antennas on each locomotive allow low-latency transmission of operational data, remote diagnostics and software updates — field trials have reported signal availability above 97%, which supports more agile incident response and smoother operations.
Already deployed across corridors in São Paulo, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas Gerais, Goiás and Tocantins, the roll-out underscores Rumo’s drive toward a digitally connected and safer logistics network. According to Rumo’s Chief Technology Officer Marco Andriola, “this solution not only ensures continuity in any scenario, but also paves the way for increasingly connected, intelligent and safe trains.”
