Train No. 3/4 "Astana-Almaty" has become the first in Kazakhstan to offer passengers internet access as part of a pilot project. The journey along this route takes 17 hours, and on the inaugural trip, 500 passengers were able to connect to the network while on the move, reported the company "Passenger Transportation."
Passengers could take advantage of the new service to make video calls to loved ones via WhatsApp, watch videos on YouTube, and visit other popular online services. However, access to torrents and streaming download sites is restricted. The company noted that the satellite equipment installed on the locomotive provides stable and high-speed internet throughout the entire route.
"This project will allow passengers to stay connected, work, and relax simultaneously. In the future, we plan to expand the service, starting with internet connectivity on all 15 Talgo train routes," said Anuar Akhmetzhanov, Chairman of the Board of JSC "Passenger Transportation."
The launch of the pilot project on the KTZ train using the low-orbit satellite constellation Eutelsat-OneWeb is a significant milestone in the digitalization of transportation, said Minister of Digital Development Jaslan Madiyev.
"Thanks to collaboration with our partners, we have demonstrated that even under challenging conditions, we can provide passengers with high-speed (50–100 Mbps) and stable internet. This success opens new horizons for further digital transformation of the country and enhances travel comfort for the citizens of Kazakhstan," noted Jaslan Madiyev.
Mobile terminals for conductors have also been implemented for ticket verification, body-worn video recorders for train chiefs, and surveillance systems. All recordings are automatically stored in a cloud repository, which enhances control and security levels.
The introduction of internet access has changed the payment method in the dining car — passengers can now pay for orders on the go using POS terminals.
