Low-orbit satellite communications company OneWeb and Kazakhstan’s national railway company “Kazakhstan Temir Zholy” have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore the possibility of providing high-speed, low-latency broadband satellite connectivity to railway stations and rolling stock across the country.

The MoU signed at the “Digital Almaty” forum formalised closer cooperation between Kazakhstan’s Temir Oblast and OneWeb in the company’s passenger and cargo operations.

The MoU was signed on the sidelines of the international “Digital Almaty” forum organised by the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Mayor of Almaty TechGarden.kz and Astana hubs.

It will also make it easier for National Railways to become an international intermodal digital logistics operator. The agreement also indicates the parties intend to conduct service trials of fixed and mobile solutions ahead of a commercial launch later this year.