Colubris Networks, a leading provider of intelligent wireless LAN (WLAN) solutions, today announced that it has taken part in a successful eight month trial delivering satellite Wi-Fi internet access on high speed trains run by the European rail operator Thalys International between Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam.
The trial was led by 21Net, a satellite internet access operator in partnership with the European Space Agency. 21Net selected Colubris Networks to enable passengers to securely access broadband internet and multi-media services.
The solution installed onboard a pilot Thalys train from April to December 2005 integrated Colubris’ WLAN technology with the 21Net satellite based solution. With on-board wireless customers such as Connexion by Boeing and other transportation industry leaders, Colubris brought advanced expertise in on-board wireless communications to the trial.
The 21Net satellite antenna, connected to the on-board Colubris wireless LAN (Wi-Fi, 802.11b/g), gave passengers broadband internet access at ADSL speeds. Colubris’ encrypted Wi-Fi access points allowed passengers to send and receive e-mails and access corporate networks securely. The system also allowed passengers to keep in touch with the news and watch films.
After a free trial period by 21Net, passengers were offered convenient access to the service by either pre-paid cards or through an online purchasing system.
“Of the different solutions we explored, the one offered to us by Colubris Networks was by far the most satisfactory,” said Jean-François de Lantsheere, Director at 21Net. “Not only because it enabled us to solve problems for which we had previously found no solution, particularly due to certain laptop PC hardware configurations, but also because it enables users to protect their personal data effectively – an essential aspect of the service Thalys wishes to provide to its customers.”
The deployed Colubris Networks InReach™ MultiService Access Points (MAP) equip wireless networks with intelligent capabilities that provide user-transparent roaming as well as the highest standards of security. Colubris’ InReach products also offer the flexibility needed for services to evolve while still minimising operating costs.
“This choice of Colubris’ solution by 21Net strengthens our position in the transportation sector of the Wi-Fi market,” said Patrick Deroy, EMEA Sales Director at Colubris Networks. “Our technology caters fully to the demands and the complexity of this special type of communications service. We are very confident that this service has a bright future ahead of it, and we are very proud of our contribution to providing high-quality wireless services which are bound to significantly alter the leisure and working patterns of railway users.”
About Colubris Networks
Colubris Networks is a global supplier of intelligent wireless LAN access management systems and equipment for service providers and businesses. The company’s award-winning products afford safe, transparent access to broadband services and applications while integrating with the network infrastructure and the management and security systems already in use. Colubris Networks equipment is deployed by over 1000 companies world-wide. For further information, you can visit the company’s Website at: www.colubris.com
About 21Net
21Net is a business on a European scale, formed in 2001 to develop advanced satellite technology for supplying broadband Internet to trains. Founded by Henry Hyde-Thomson and managed by Jean-François de Lantsheere, 21Net conducted the commercial trials of its service on a pilot Thalys train set in partnership with the European Space Agency.
