BRAZIL’s largest freight operator, Rumo Logistics, has begun equipping its locomotive fleet with a satellite communications system supplied by Starlink to improve real-time connectivity across its five networks.
Rumo has a fleet of 1200 locomotives operating on more than 13,500km of lines across the country. Its networks serve some of Brazil’s most remote regions, where traditional terrestrial wireless coverage is limited or unavailable.
To overcome these connectivity challenges, Rumo began installing Starlink terminals on its locomotives in February, with the initial rollout covering 400 locomotives. The system’s low earth orbit satellite technology provides high-speed, low-latency data transmission, ensuring continuous communication between trains and the control centre, even in isolated or low-signal areas.
Each locomotive is equipped with a low-orbit antenna providing stable broadband connectivity that supports remote diagnostics, real-time alerts, continuous telemetry, and predictive maintenance. Field trials have demonstrated 97% signal stability, validating the platform’s reliability for operational data exchange and fleet monitoring.
The integration of satellite-based communications represents a major step forward in Rumo’s digitalisation strategy, improving both safety and logistics efficiency across its networks.
Freight operator VLI announced in April 2025 a similar agreement with Starlink to deploy the technology across its locomotive fleet.
