South Western Railway (SWR) has begun a trial of satellite-powered onboard Wi-Fi, becoming one of the first train operators in England to test the technology on passenger services.

The trial uses Starlink's Low Earth Orbit satellite network and is running on a Class 444 train operating between London Waterloo, Portsmouth Harbour and Weymouth.

The route includes stretches through the New Forest, where mobile signal has traditionally been poor.

Early testing has shown promising results, with coverage rates of up to 97 per cent so far.

The project is being delivered in partnership with Angel Trains and Clarus Networks and forms part of SWR's wider investment in improving onboard connectivity for passengers.

SWR now offers three different technologies to keep customers connected.

Alongside the satellite trial, the operator introduced superfast Rail-5G Wi-Fi earlier this year between Earlsfield and Basingstoke, delivering speeds up to 20 times faster than standard mobile connections using trackside antenna technology.

Trains have also been upgraded with multi-SIM technology, allowing them to switch automatically between mobile networks to maintain the strongest signal.

Cabling and onboard equipment on the Class 444 and 450 fleets have been improved in collaboration with Siemens to create a faster and more reliable service.

The combined system, provided by Icomera, automatically connects passengers to the best available option during their journey, whether satellite, Rail-5G or mobile network.

SWR says the improvements are already changing how people use their journeys.

Wi-Fi usage has increased by 58 per cent, with more than one million customers now using the service each month.

Passengers are streaming music and video, attending online meetings and sending hundreds of thousands of emails daily while on board.

Customer experience surveys show 76 per cent of passengers rate SWR's Wi-Fi positively, placing it among the best in the rail industry.

Peter Williams, SWR's Customer and Commercial Director, said reliable Wi-Fi makes rail a more attractive way to travel.

"By bringing satellite technology to our trains, we're covering some of the hardest-to-reach parts of the network and showing that seamless connectivity is possible wherever you travel," he said.

Rail Minister Lord Hendy said the trial could transform journeys, particularly during busy holiday periods, while local council leaders in Dorset and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole welcomed the move as a boost for productivity and sustainable travel.

Angel Trains said the 12-month trial demonstrates how new technology can improve the passenger experience, particularly on routes where mobile coverage has long been a challenge.