SJ to Equip All SJ 3000 Trains with Satellite Connections by 2027 to Enhance Connectivity

Swedish rail operator SJ is embarking on a significant upgrade to improve internet connectivity on its SJ 3000 trains. Starting next summer, satellite connections will be installed across all SJ 3000 trains, with the full fleet expected to be outfitted by 2027. This initiative targets the persistent issue of connectivity dead zones, particularly prevalent in rural areas, responding to growing demands from both private and business travelers for reliable onboard internet.

Since August, SJ has been testing satellite connectivity on one SJ 3000 train. Currently, 20 trains in this sub-fleet mostly serve routes including Gothenburg to Malmö, Stockholm to Sundsvall, and Stockholm to Oslo. SJ claims to be the first operator to invest in combining satellite technology with mobile networks on electrified passenger trains to maintain a stable connection.

Because satellite signals cannot penetrate tunnels, SJ is collaborating with mobile operators and the Swedish Transport Administration to boost mobile network coverage in these areas. This effort builds on years of improvements, including swapping train windows for radio-transparent ones and expanding 5G coverage along Sweden’s southern and western main rail lines.

Johan Sagnert, SJ's product and concept manager, emphasized the company's commitment to eliminating connectivity blind spots and meeting customer expectations for constant, reliable internet access while traveling by train.