Rail service provider Brightlline has made history by becoming the first passenger rail service globally to feature SpaceX’s Starlink’s high-speed, low-latency broadband service. This move marks a significant phase in Brightline’s digital transformation, focusing on enhancing the passenger experience through advanced technology.
The Miami-based company has chosen to partner with Starlink, which it says sets a new standard for connected passenger rail services worldwide.
Starlink’s internet connectivity is now accessible aboard Brightline’s fleet operating in South Florida between Miami and West Palm Beach. The service will soon extend to the new five-train fleet set to service Orlando in the summer, increasing the total number of trains operating between South and Central Florida to ten. The Starlink internet service will be available free of charge to all Brightline guests.
Kevin T. McAuliffe, Chief Technology & Digital Innovation Officer at Brightline, expressed his excitement about this groundbreaking collaboration. “Brightline is the first train service worldwide to implement the Starlink system. This is a testament to our identity as an innovative passenger rail provider, leading the way for high-speed rail in the US,” he said. “Working with top-tier tech teams globally, our partnership with Starlink takes our brand to a whole new level.”
Starlink, providing high-speed, low-latency internet to users across the globe, operates via the world’s largest constellation of advanced satellites in low Earth orbit. Unlike traditional geostationary satellites that orbit at 35,786 km, Starlink’s satellites orbit at about 550km, covering the entire globe with significantly lower latency. This capability allows Starlink to provide a seamless connection, facilitating regular Wi-Fi uses such as streaming, online gaming, video calls, and other high data rate activities even in the most remote areas.
Starlink has previously served various residences, businesses, and transportation providers in the aviation and marine industries, including Hawaiian Airlines, Royal Caribbean Group, and Carnival Corporation. The partnership with Brightline marks its inaugural foray into the railroad and passenger rail industry.
Jonathan Hofeller, SpaceX’s Vice President of Starlink Commercial Sales, lauded Brightline’s initiative. “As the first rail service globally to adopt Starlink, Brightline continues to pioneer in the industry,” he said. “We are thrilled to collaborate with Brightline and offer Starlink to their entire fleet, ensuring that all of Brightline’s passengers can access the high-speed, low-latency internet that is essential in today’s digital age.”
