Nokia Siemens Networks, 21Net and Telenet provide travelers with seamless Internet experience on high-speed European railway.

As of January 2010, more than 500,000 Thalys passengers have enjoyed high speed internet connectivity using ThalysNet, the WiFi Internet service available on high speed trains operated by Thalys between Paris, Cologne, Brussels and Amsterdam. The service was launched in May 2008 to offer seamless broadband connectivity to Thalys business and leisure travelers, and is provided by a consortium comprising Nokia Siemens Networks, 21Net and Telenet.

“Since its commercial launch the service has gained huge momentum, with 60% of those accessing ThalysNet being frequent repeated users” said Olivier Poitrenaud, chief executive officer of Thalys International. “With ThalysNet, Thalys remains the only high-speed international rail operator providing WiFi Internet access and our customers clearly value this service,”.

The success of on-board mobile broadband is borne out by passengers’ usage patterns: one out of four Comfort 1 service passengers is a ThalysNet user and access via handheld devices such as PDAs or Smartphones has doubled in the last six months, suggesting a growing preference for such WiFi enabled devices. ThalysNet customers use the service for internet browsing, e-mail and connection to corporate networks via VPN.

As of November 2009, Thalys passengers planning to travel in Thalys Comfort 2 can purchase Internet access prior to their trips on www.thalys.com in the dedicated “WiFi Internet on board” section and benefit from promotional prices such as buy 3 get 4 or buy 7 get 10 Internet vouchers.