Brazil's MRS Logistica Taps Iridium for Reliable Satellite Connectivity

Iridium Communications Inc., a provider of global voice and data satellite communications, has announced that Satcom Direct Brasil, a distributor of critical telecommunications services, and MRS Logística S.A., a freight train operator, have implemented Iridium Certus® satellite connectivity on MRS Logística’s railway network for the first time in Brazil. The Iridium Certus 700 service will be used to enable real-time communication between train drivers and operation centers, resulting in a faster and safer logistical process.

Railway operation centers manage the traffic of all locomotives. For efficient management, it is essential to maintain constant contact with the train drivers. Any communication failure can cause railway blockages or accidents. With Iridium Certus, MRS Logística’s locomotives have a reliable data channel to exchange critical rail traffic control information in real time. This allows precise train location management, increasing efficiency and safety.

Iridium partner Satcom Direct Brasil installed the Iridium Certus Connected® Thales MissionLINK® 700 equipment on MRS Logística’s locomotives. This equipment is robust and durable, ideal for railway environments, and provides a secure link of up to 704 Kbps. It connects the locomotive onboard computer and other essential devices for rail traffic management. This represents a significant operational gain, allowing more trains to operate, increasing the number of trips, and reducing accidents. Satcom Direct Brasil is providing 24/7 support, ensuring efficient real-time connection provided by Iridium’s truly global satellite network.

“With Iridium Certus, MRS Logística can reduce the distance between trains and monitor exactly where each train is. This represents a significant operational gain both in efficiency in the volume of cargo transported and in safety thanks to precise monitoring that allows more trains to operate. It is an innovative and essential service for our operations,” said Fernando Martins Manzotti, railway specialist, telecommunications systems, MRS Logística

The MRS train network is crucial to the economy, transporting nearly 20% of all Brazilian exports and a third of the country’s railway cargo. To ensure safe and efficient operations, it is vital to have reliable communication between operators and moving trains. After thorough testing, Iridium demonstrated better coverage and connectivity than competitors thanks to its low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite network and L-band service, resistant to adverse weather conditions.

“With security and innovation at the forefront, MRS continues to be a leader in exploring the latest technologies and deploying the best technical solutions for critical railway operations,” said Josh Miner, vice president of land mobile, Iridium. “With Iridium®, MRS can confidently enable positive train control, interoperability, and interconnectivity on every train and track.”

The Thales MissionLINK 700 offers rugged and reliable connectivity on the move for trains and locomotives regardless of geography. In addition to allowing secure train control, it offers functionalities such as the internet, telemetry for more effective maintenance of trains, Radio over Internet Protocol (RoIP), and voice calls, allowing direct contact with the driver at critical moments. The solid-state and low-profile Thales MissionLINK terminals powered by Iridium Certus automatically switch between satellite and cellular connectivity, maximizing availability and managing costs.