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UK Government and European Space Agency select CGI to develop a hybrid satellite communications and terrestrial network demonstrator for trains

 15 November 2021

CGI has been selected by the UK Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, the UK Space Agency and the European Space Agency (ESA) to develop a demonstration of a hybrid satellite communications and terrestrial network for use on trains. The project is part of a joint initiative in the UK to demonstrate the integrated use of 5G in the area of transport and logistics. This Satellites for Digitalisation of Railways (SODOR) project will deliver pilot demonstrations of improved network connectivity for train monitoring and passenger broadband in 2022. The project aims to demonstrate how new constellations of communication satellites can seamlessly fill gaps in terrestrial coverage and provide additional capacity to improve safety and provide travellers with better connectivity.

Robert Gardner, Senior Innovation Engineer, Telecoms, at Network Rail said: “Over the coming decade, new-age satellite communications have the potential to transform how we provide data connectivity to railway vehicles, particularly in rural and remote regions. Through our involvement in Project SODOR, we aim to learn more about how modern satcoms can supplement terrestrial wireless communications, and explore the potential value and benefits to passengers and the operational railway system."

Mike Rudd, Head of Telecommunications, UK Space Agency,  said: “Satellites play a vital role in keeping people connected, but they can also help keep us safe by providing reliable communications links between trains, drivers and operators. This new project is a great example of the National Space Strategy in action, drawing on CGI’s expertise in satellite communications and working closely with our partners in the ESA to demonstrate how this technology could help supercharge mobile connectivity across the national rail network.”

UK Minister for Media, Data and Digital Infrastructure Julia Lopez said: "We want to end the frustration of cut-short calls and internet black-outs on trains and bring our network into the fast lane. We're delighted to select CGI to test how satellites and 5G can put an end to patchy mobile coverage while helping train operators monitor the safety and performance of their services with greater precision. This is just one of a long list of projects we are backing to boost our economy and improve people's lives with modern technology."

Rita Rinaldo at ESA said: “We trust that the SODOR project will demonstrate the unique contribution of 5G integrated satellite-terrestrial connectivity in providing good quality passenger communications for remote regions, solving the problems experienced today by main train users. Thanks to the support of Network Rail and other train operators, this will pave the way for a wider adoption of satellite communications for rail applications, including in the context of the Future Railway Mobile Communication System.”

Shaun Stretton, Senior Vice President, UK & Australia Space Control and Information Solutions at CGI, said: “In today’s world, consumers have come to rely on ubiquitous access to the internet and losing a mobile signal on a train journey is no longer an acceptable inconvenience. It also has commercial implications for the operator and, under some circumstances, could even present a safety issue for drivers. We are pleased to be working with ESA and the UK Government, along with a wide range of partners, to demonstrate how bringing together satellite communications and terrestrial networks will solve this. CGI is uniquely positioned to unlock these benefits through our experience and IT capabilities across the space, telecoms and rail domains.”