Iridium Certus Thales MissionLINK 700 installed on MRS railway. Photo: Iridium

Rail cars in Brazil for freight train company MRS Logística are now equipped with Iridium satellite connectivity as part of a new collaboration announced Tuesday. 

MRS is a freight train company in Brazil and its train network transports nearly 20% of all Brazilian exports and a third of the country’s railway cargo. Iridium partner Satcom Direct Brasil implemented Iridium Certus 700 satellite connectivity on MRS Logística’s locomotives by installing Thales MissionLINK 700 equipment. 

This connectivity enables real-time communication between train drivers and operation centers to exchange critical information for train location management and safety. 

The Thales MissionLink terminals allow for a data rate of up to 704 Kbps. Its functions include internet access, telemetry for train maintenance, radio over internet protocol (RoIP), and voice calls, allowing direct contact with the driver. The terminals can automatically switch between satellite and cellular connectivity. 

“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.