ScotRail Class 222 Fleet To Get LEO Satellite WiFi

Scotland’s rail passengers are about to swap patchy signal misery for space age internet. Nomad Digital confirmed on 8 May 2026 that it will fit Low Earth Orbit satellite WiFi across ScotRail’s incoming Class 222 fleet. The deal is part of Alstom’s long term refurbishment programme with Beacon Rail. It promises strong, steady connection from Glasgow to the Highlands.

What The New Deal Actually Delivers

Nomad Digital will deliver onboard WiFi for 22 five car Class 222 units that ScotRail is leasing from Beacon Rail. The trains will run on key intercity routes linking Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Inverness.

The connectivity upgrade sits inside Alstom’s wider £330 million long term services and refurbishment package signed in March 2026.

This will be the first time a full ScotRail intercity fleet runs on LEO satellite powered WiFi from day one of service.

The first refurbished trains are due to enter service by late 2027, with the rest of the fleet expected to follow by the end of 2028.

Why Low Earth Orbit Changes The Game

Traditional onboard WiFi in the UK depends on cellular signals from masts beside the track. That works in cities, but it crumbles fast in glens, tunnels and stretches of empty moorland.

LEO satellites sit much closer to Earth than older geostationary models. They beam internet down with low latency and high speeds, even where mobile coverage barely flickers.

“Connectivity is no longer a passenger perk. It is the backbone of how a modern railway runs and how passengers judge their journey.”

For travellers crossing the Cairngorms or the long run to Inverness, the change should feel immediate. Video calls, streaming and remote work become realistic across journeys that once meant hours offline.

Inside The Class 222 Refurbishment Programme

The connectivity rollout is just one piece of a much bigger fleet transformation. Alstom is leading the heavy maintenance and refresh works, with depots at Polmadie, Haymarket and Inverness supporting day to day operations.

Passengers will notice the changes well before they open a laptop.

• Full exterior repaint and updated ScotRail livery
• Fresh interiors with new carpets and full repaint
• New passenger information system with multimedia displays
• Voice over internet phone capability for staff and customers
• Family friendly area with space for an unfolded pushchair
• Wheelchair spaces in both First Class and Standard Class
• Storage for up to six bikes per train
• Electronic seat reservation system and upgraded CCTV

The overhaul is backed by around £80 million in refurbishment spending, with £67 million of investment coming from the Scottish Government.

How The Numbers Stack Up

The contract structure stretches well into the next decade. Alstom’s Technical Support and Spares Supply Agreement runs for 10 years to March 2036, with an option to extend to 2042.

The package also covers spare parts, supply chain management and a “train the trainer” programme for ScotRail’s operational teams.

Building On Scotland’s Satellite WiFi Story

Scotland has been quietly leading the UK on satellite rail WiFi for more than a year. In 2025, ScotRail launched a UK first trial putting Starlink LEO kit on six Class 158 trains running across the Highlands.

That £250,000 pilot, delivered with Bathgate based Clarus Networks, served routes from Inverness to Wick, Thurso, Kyle of Lochalsh and Aberdeen. Engineers reported speeds of up to 220 Mbps in motion with latency near 40 milliseconds.

The Class 222 rollout takes that proof of concept and scales it across a full intercity fleet. It signals that satellite WiFi is no longer an experiment in Scotland. It is the new normal.

“The Highlands trial proved the technology. The Class 222 programme is where it grows up and starts serving millions of journeys a year.”

What It Means For Passengers And The Industry

For commuters, students and tourists, the upgrade aims to wipe out one of the biggest complaints about UK rail travel. Reliable internet will finally match the scenery outside the window.

For ScotRail and Alstom, the connected railway opens new doors. Real time passenger information, live CCTV streaming, predictive maintenance data and smoother operational comms can all run on the same satellite backbone.

Industry watchers say the move also strengthens Scotland’s pitch as a digital rail leader in Europe. Other UK operators are already exploring similar LEO solutions, with two more confirming trials earlier this year.

If the rollout lands on time, ScotRail will run one of Europe’s most connected intercity fleets by 2028.

Nomad Digital’s role marks another chapter for a company that already supplied WiFi to ScotRail’s Class 380 electric fleet. With the Class 222 contract, it cements its position as a key player in the UK’s connected rail future.

Behind every refreshed seat, repainted carriage and silent satellite signal is a simple promise to the people who ride these trains every day. It says your time matters, your journey matters and the long stretch home should not feel like a digital dead zone. As Scotland’s intercity routes get ready for this leap, passengers stand to gain something deeper than faster downloads. They gain trust that the railway is finally catching up with their lives. What do you think about LEO satellite WiFi coming to ScotRail’s Class 222 fleet? Share your thoughts in the comments and tell us how better onboard connection would change your journey.