Lumo is set to shake up train travel with a major upgrade to onboard connectivity, announcing plans to roll out Elon Musk's Starlink satellite internet service across its East Coast Main Line fleet from this autumn. The budget rail operator has partnered with leading tech companies to deliver fast and reliable broadband to passengers on key routes including London King’s Cross, Newcastle, Edinburgh, and Glasgow.
Starlink uses a network of low Earth orbit satellites to provide high-speed internet, addressing the long-standing problem of patchy connectivity on train journeys. Traditional trackside and mobile network coverage can often leave commuters frustrated with slow or unreliable Wi-Fi.
The installation is a collaborative effort between Lumo, Hitachi, Icomera, and Beacon Rail, ensuring a seamless integration of the advanced internet system across its all-electric trains.
According to Paul Jackson, head of customer and stakeholder engagement at Lumo, reliable Wi-Fi is now a fundamental expectation for modern rail passengers. Whether travelling for business or leisure, customers expect to stay connected and productive onboard. Starlink's introduction marks a crucial step in meeting this demand, offering consistent and high-quality connections throughout the journey.
Lumo has already implemented 5G-enabled Wi-Fi on its newer West Coast services between London Euston and Stirling. The move to Starlink on the East Coast Main Line demonstrates Lumo's ongoing commitment to enhancing the digital experience for its customers, overcoming the infrastructural limitations that have historically plagued train Wi-Fi services.