Thalys;
commercial launch of
WiFi broadband
internet on board
its trains
The provision of
continuous broadband
connectivity
throughout the
entire Thalys
network, whether in
Belgium, France,
Germany or the
Netherlands is now a
commercial reality.
Already 25% of
Thalys trains have
been equipped to be
fit for this purpose
and by autumn 2008
the whole fleet will
be so. Thalys’s
implementation of
innovative WiFi
technology is in
response to both the
high expectations of
business customers,
for whom train time
can now serve as an
extension of office
time, and the
provision of an
enhanced travel
experience for
leisure passengers.
‘Our aim is to
continually expand
our offer of
services in line
with the evolving
needs and
expectations of our
customers: with
Thalys, there is
never a dull moment
on board!’ explains
Jean-Michel
Dancoisne, CEO of
Thalys
International.
The commercial
launch of the WiFi
internet service is
right on track with
the ‘New Thalys’
passenger orientated
innovation strategy,
following the launch
of Thalyseo,
Thalys’s social
networking platform
set up in
partnership with
Viadeo and the
recent extension of
‘Ticketless’ travel
(travelling without
a printed ticket)
for Navigo
subscribers.
Upcoming months will
witness the next
phase of the ‘New
Thalys’ campaign
slipping neatly into
place with the
introduction of new
staff uniforms, a
total revamp of
train interior
design and, as the
cherry on the cake,
high speed journeys
such as Paris to
Amsterdam and
Cologne clocking in
under 3 hours and 15
minutes and 1 hour
and 45 minutes from
Brussels by 2009.
"The innovative
solution provided by
the consortium: high
bandwith,
reliability and
service continuity
on the whole Thalys
Network.
Thalys has selected
in September 2007
the consortium of
Nokia Siemens
Networks, Telenet
and 21Net after a
deep technical and
commercial
evaluation. The
consortium has
provided a complete
hosted and
end-to-end solution
to enable broadband
services on
international
high-speed trains.
Under the terms of a
managed services’
contract, the
consortium not only
designed an
innovative
cross-border
wireless network
including on-board
WiFi equipment and
supplied and
installed all
necessary
technology, but it
also operates and
maintains the
complete network for
Thalys.
The consortium has
combined satellite
and UMTS with Wi-Fi
technologies to
provide a continuous
Internet
connectivity on
board the Thalys
trains travelling
across borders at
the speed of 300
km/h. The choice for
three complementary
backhaul
technologies was
made to guarantee an
optimal coverage in
all countries,
depending on the
wireless
technologies
available along the
trip. This seamless
handover between the
available
technologies ensures
the user on board
the Thalys train the
best possible
Internet
connectivity.
Paul Broekhuizen,
Account Director for
Railways - West
Europe at Nokia
Siemens Networks and
Head of Consortium
indicates this
comprehensive
managed services’
scope brings key
benefits for Thalys:
"a high quality
telecommunications
service and a fast
introduction of the
WI-FI offer are
assured, meeting
quality and safety
expectations and
reducing risk and
investment costs".
The Consortium
capitalizes on the
complementary skills
base of the three
companies in the
group:
• Nokia Siemens
Networks is
responsible for the
entire project
management process.
The company provides
the network’s WLAN
technology. Nokia
Siemens Networks
installs, manages
and maintains the
network’s resources.
The company is also
responsible for the
management of
special leased
bandwidth for mobile
operators along the
train routes.
• 21Net implements
and manages
bi-directional
satellite
connectivity,
providing broadband
connectivity to
passengers. The
company has also
obtained approval of
all the equipment
used in the global
solution recommended
by the Consortium.
• Telenet operates
the commercial
Internet services,
develops and
maintains the
portal, including
internet access and
multimedia content.
Telenet provides
customer support via
the ThalysNet
Helpdesk.
.”
