Hughes LEO for Rail Brings Next-Gen Satellite Connectivity to Global Rail Networks
New managed connectivity solution for Eutelsat LEO complements cellular networks to improve passenger Wi-Fi and support operational rail applications worldwide.
GERMANTOWN, Md., [March 24, 2026] — Hughes Network Systems, LLC, an EchoStar company (Nasdaq: SATS), today announced Hughes LEO for Rail, a tailored connectivity solution, along with a low-profile, rail-certified antenna, designed to bring Eutelsat’s resilient OneWeb Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite connectivity to passenger and freight rail networks worldwide.
“For too long, rail connectivity has meant dead zones, dropped signals, and inconsistent performance,” said Royce Hernandez, Vice President of Mobility Products at Hughes. “Hughes LEO for Rail puts an end to that by combining Eutelsat’s LEO satellite and cellular into a single, resilient network that keeps passengers connected and critical operations running, without interruption.”
The unique Hughes solution leverages three elements: the innovative rail antenna, Eutelsat’s global OneWeb LEO satellite service, and the Hughes worldwide managed network infrastructure that helps deliver lowest possible latency anywhere for railroads’ private network. The terminal integrates seamlessly into existing rail connectivity architectures, enabling rail integrators and operators to deploy resilient broadband connectivity that complements cellular networks.
“LEO satellite connectivity is transforming both the passenger experience and rail operations,” said Filipe De Oliveira, Vice President for Commercial at Eutelsat. “With Eutelsat’s OneWeb LEO, we can deliver consistent, high-performance broadband across entire routes, including the rural and cross-border areas that have always been the hardest to serve, and when merged with terrestrial connectivity we deliver built-in resiliency to any critical operation. Together with longstanding partners like Hughes, we are enabling rail operators worldwide to enhance connectivity across both the passenger rail experience and operational applications.”
The service enables ultra-high availability for a wide range of rail applications, providing reliable passenger Wi-Fi on high-speed and long-distance routes, operational monitoring of onboard systems, CCTV, fleet management, and critical safety communications across passenger and freight rail networks. Unlike cellular-only architectures, Hughes LEO for Rail enables multi-path connectivity strategies that improve network availability while reducing operational risk.
Hughes and Eutelsat are actively working with rail integrators, rail operators, and ecosystem partners globally on trial and production deployments in preparation for certification.
To learn more about Hughes LEO for Rail, please visit our website.