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Thalys: Wi-Fi for all Thalys travellers!
London, Nov 21, 2008 (M2 PRESSWIRE via COMTEX) --
The provision of continuous broadband connectivity throughout the entire Thalys network, whether in Belgium, France, Germany or the Netherlands is now a reality on every Thalys train. As from today, the complete Thalys fleet is equipped with high-speed wireless Internet on board.
Thalys's implementation of the innovative WiFi technology is both a response to the high expectations of business customers, for whom train time can now serve as an extension of their office time and an ingredient of an enhanced travel experience for leisure passengers.
Since the commercial launch in May, more than 60000 travellers have used the service. Nine out of ten interviewed users have evaluated the service as "good" or "very good".
Together with the Consortium of Nokia Siemens Networks, 21Net and Telenet, Thalys is the first high speed operator to offer Wi-Fi Internet services across 4 country borders at 300 km/h.
"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 Olivier Poitrenaud, CEO of Thalys International.
Another important journey for the 'New Thalys'
The completed commercial launch of the WiFi internet service on all Thalys trains is right on track with the 'New Thalys' passenger orientated innovation strategy.Upcoming months will witness the next phase of the 'Metamorphosis': the total refurbishment of the train interior design, the new uniforms, the new dining onboard and 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 mid 2009.
The story of close and good co-operation between Thalys and the Consortium.
Since the Commercial Launch of ThalysNet in the spring 2008, an intensive roll out programme was followed, in close collaboration between Thalys, the Consortium and the SNCB/NMBS workshop in Vorst / Forest. This allowed the partners to meet the announced schedule in a challenging railway environment. The train downtime was limited by performing as much installation activities as possible during normal maintenance windows, avoiding Thalys to have trains in the workshop rather than in commercial operation.
In parallel with the roll out, new features have been developed on the ThalysNet portal, such as the availability of a PDA version of the portal- allowing many PDA users travelling on board Thalys to save UMTS roaming costs by connecting to the local on board Wi-Fi network - and the possibility to use the purchased Internet access in multiple sessions during the same trip.
As a next step, Thalys and the Consortium will be approaching the market of professional and leisure travellers with new and interesting packages in order to attract more users for the ThalysNet service.
Tariffs
As announced in May, for passengers travelling in Comfort 1, access to the ThalysNet portal and to the Internet is included in the ticket price,along with other services offered in Comfort 1.
For passengers travelling in Comfort 2, access to the ThalysNet portal is free but Internet access is chargeable:
- 6.50 euros for 60 minutesconnection time. Connection time is calculated from the first connection made and can now be used in multiple sessions during the course of one trip;
- 13 euros for unlimited accessduring the trip however long it may be.
Two payment methods are possible: either on line with a bank card (Visa, MasterCard or American Express) or by buying a voucher at ThalysBar.
The innovative solution provided by the consortium: high bandwidth, reliability and service continuity on the whole Thalys Network
In September 2007 Thalys selected 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 South Europe at Nokia Siemens Networks and Head of the Consortium indicates the key benefit for Thalys of this comprehensive managed services' scope: "While the consortium provides the technology and ongoing network operation of the ThalysNet service, Thalys can focus their effort on offering new innovative services to its passengers and improving their traveling experience".
The Consortium capitalizes on the complementary skills base of the three companies in the group:
- Nokia Siemens Networksis responsible for the entire project management and has designed the networks, supplied and installed the necessary technology, provided ongoing network operation and taken over maintenance of the network components: the on board WLAN solution with connectivity to the network, the management of special leased bandwidth for mobile operators along the train routes, antennas in the train for radio contact.
- 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 ThalysNetHelpdesk.
About Thalys
To date, over 65 million passengers have already been carried between Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam and Cologne. At the end of June 2008, turnover had risen by 8%. It's now possible to travel without a printed ticket using the new Ticketless service! By mid-2009 Thalys will take you from Paris to Cologne or Amsterdam in three and a quarter hours, Brussels to Cologne in 1 hour 47 minutes and Brussels to Amsterdam in just 1 hour 46 minutes. Visit www.thalys.com for details of our offers and those of our partners and to find out about current affairs at Thalys or http://thalys.mobi, the site dedicated to mobile Internet users. Thalys is a product of the SNCB, SNCF, DB AG and NS.
Thalys is member:
- of Railteam, cooperation betweenEurope's leading high-speed rail operators
- of the CER (Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies) and of the UIC (International Union of Railways)
About Nokia Siemens Networks
Nokia Siemens Networks is a leading global enabler of communications services. The company provides a complete, well-balanced product portfolio of mobile and fixed network infrastructure solutions and addresses the growing demand for services with 20,000 service professionals worldwide. Nokia Siemens Networks is one of the largest telecommunications infrastructure companies with operations in 150 countries. The company is headquartered in Espoo, Finland.
About 21Net
21Net is a European operator who established the world's first bi-directional satellite communications system capable of delivering high speed Internet to high speed trains. Initially sponsored by the European Space Agency 21Net was the first provider to technically demonstrate the provisioning of broadband Internet on a high speed train, in 2004.
Since 2004, 21Net has been working closely with leading railway operators RENFE, THALYS and SNCF to develop a robust & technically mature system.
21Net is committed to providing a great user experience with high data rates and seamless connectivity based on bi-directional satellite communications integrated with terrestrial wireless solutions for stations and tunnels. Its "Broadband To Trains" system is the only productized system capable of providing true broadband connectivity to high speed trains.
About Telenet
Telenet is a leading provider of media and telecommunication services. Its business comprises the provision of cable television, high speed internet and fixed and mobile telephony services, primarily to residential customers in Flanders and Brussels. In addition, Telenet offers services to business customers across Belgium under the brand Telenet Solutions. Telenet is listed on the Euronext Brussels Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol TNET.
CONTACT: Marianne Alaux, Press Communications, Press Contact, 21Net
Tel: +32 15 61 88 70
e-mail : marianne@21net.com
WWW: http://www.21net.com
Angela Vela, Hopscotch Europe In one
Tel: +44 (0)208 133 3140
e-mail : avela@hopscotch.eu
Nokia Siemens Networks
WWW: http://www.nokiasiemensnetworks.com
M2 Communications Ltd disclaims all liability for information provided within M2 PressWIRE. Data supplied by named party/parties. Further information on M2 PressWIRE can be obtained at http://www.presswire.net on the world wide web. Inquiries to info@m2.com.
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