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PROCUREMENT OPPORTUNITY

Low Earth Orbit Satellite Train Connectivity

Department for Transport · Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender

Tender information last checkedLast checked 30 Sept 2026, 07:48.

Opportunity overview

The Department for Transport secured funding as part of Spending Review 2025 to improve the provision of on-train wifi for rail passengers. Our objective is to retro-fit the majority of Great British Railway train operators' mainlines trains by 2030. We intend to upgrade the existing in-carriage on-train wifi equipment to the latest standards, provide low earth orbit (LEO) satellite internet connectivity to enhance the existing mobile network operator connections, and hence deliver a more generally available higher speed internet connection for wifi-connected rail passengers. To meet our objectives and timescales, we are developing our procurement and delivery strategies. To help shape our approach we are now seeking engagement with interested parties in the value chain including suppliers and stakeholders. Details of this requirement, such as a firm value approach to procuring and competition timelines are unknown at this stage and will be informed by the outcome of this engagement exercise.  For further details of this requirement and how to engage with the Department, please follow this link to the Department’s e-sourcing platform https://dft.app.jaggaer.com/go/889244250198C2E6A8E3. If you are not already registered on the Department’s e-sourcing platform Jaggaer, you can do so here https://dft.app.jaggaer.com/web/login.html

Classification

  • CPV32412000 — Communications network
  • CPV32530000 — Satellite-related communications equipment
  • CPV32531000 — Satellite communications equipment

Lots

  • Lot 1Value not stated

Documents and notices

Published notice details

Additional information from the published procurement release. Fields appear only when supplied by the source; check the original notice and tender documents before acting.

Scope, procedure and submissions

Id
ocds-h6vhtk-058ac3
Status
planning
Above Threshold
Yes
Main Procurement Category
goods

Legal basis

Id
2023/54
Scheme
UKPGA

Lots and requirements

Entry 1
Id
1
Status
planning

Suitability

Sme
Yes
Vcse
Yes

Contract period

Ends
1 Jan 2030, 23:59
Starts
1 Jun 2026, 00:00

Items and delivery

Item 1
Id
1
Related Lot
1

Additional Classifications

Entry 1
Id
32412000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Communications network
Entry 2
Id
32530000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Satellite-related communications equipment
Entry 3
Id
32531000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Satellite communications equipment

Planning and budget

Documents

Entry 1
Id
049932-2025
Format
text/html
Notice Type
UK2
Description
Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
Document Type
marketEngagementNotice
Published
19 Aug 2025, 16:17
Entry 2
Id
049936-2025
Format
text/html
Notice Type
UK2
Description
Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
Document Type
marketEngagementNotice
Published
19 Aug 2025, 16:20

Milestones

Entry 1
Id
engagement
Type
engagement
Status
scheduled
Due
15 Sept 2025, 23:59
Description
Our intent is to undertake a two-part market engagement consisting of: An initial request for confidential responses from value chain suppliers to our five questions submitted in writing; and Potential follow up one-to-one conversations with the Department to discuss responses in further detail. The deadline for initial written responses to our questions is 15/09/2025. Follow up one-to-ones will continue after this date. The collated information will be used to inform the Department's procurement strategy and approach to delivering the government's objectives. Our intention is to not publish Supplier responses, nor a collated summary. Suppliers responses to this exercise will have no impact on any future competitions for this work. We may undertake further engagement throughout the process as we develop our procurement strategy and approach to delivering this requirement further. For full information on the requirement and details of the questions we are requesting initial responses to, please follow this link https://dft.app.jaggaer.com/go/889244250198C2E6A8E3. If you are not already registered on the Department’s e-sourcing platform Jaggaer, you can do so here https://dft.app.jaggaer.com/web/login.html

Buyer, suppliers and contacts

Organisation 1
Id
GB-PPON-PLTC-5358-LTWZ
Name
Department for Transport

Roles

buyer

Address

Region
UKI32
Country
GB
Locality
London
Postal Code
SW1P 4DR
Country Name
United Kingdom
Street Address
Great Minster House, 33 Horseferry Road

Details

Classifications

Entry 1
Id
publicAuthorityCentralGovernment
Scheme
UK_CA_TYPE
Description
Public authority - central government

Identifier

Id
PLTC-5358-LTWZ
Scheme
GB-PPON

Contact

Recorded locations

  • Buyer location · London · UKI32 · SW1P 4DR · United Kingdom

Notice and amendment history

1 published notice version reviewed by ProcuraAxis.

1 VERSION
  1. ocds-h6vhtk-058ac3-2025-08-19T16:20:42+01:00Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender ·