10 September 2007
Thalys the high speed train network between Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam and Cologne will introduce broadband Internet access to its passengers by 2008.
Nokia Siemens Networks, UK based 21Net, and the Belgian organisation Telenet have been selected by Thalys to implement the broadband on all its high speed trains, making it the first international high-speed train to provide such a service across European borders.
A trial is due to start later this month using bi-directional satellite based Internet in every Comfort 1 and 2 carriage which have been equipped with access points and electricity outlets for Laptops. Depending on coverage, the system can switch from GPRS/UMTS to satellite, even in tunnels therefore allowing the service to be continuous even up to speeds of 300km/h.
No prices have been revealed yet, however, they are supposed to be comparable to that of the service received from hotels, bars and airports.
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