weeteq (5G3i) has partnered with CGI and Network Rail to provide trackside service for non-mission critical connection for track-side sensor data collection (e.g. Weather Stations, train acoustic monitoring, landslides) using LEO satellite links (Iridium) where the terrestrial coverage is absent.”
Lack of terrestrial mobile networks availability on remote trackside locations affects maintenance of trackside infrastructure. The trackside crew and equipment may have to work in potentially hazardous conditions without a reliable communications link back to control/engineering team. This also prevents deployment of sensing infrastructure on Trackside locations for predictive and proactive maintenance.
The satellite communications have the potential to solve the connectivity challenges particularly in rural and remote regions by supplementing the terrestrial mobile networks. This requires data processing at the edge in order to ensure only critical data is transmitted via the satellite link to be cost effective. It also requires self-configuration capability for deployment without any infrastructure in remote locations.