Alstom (
www.alstom.com) has agreed to acquire 21net — a provider of on-board Internet and passenger infotainment for the railway industry — from the Innovacom fund and other investors.
21net’s on-board connectivity solution is based on multiple technologies such as satellite, cellular and high-speed wireless from trackside antennas.
The company has its headquarters in the UK, along with subsidiaries in Belgium, France, Italy and India. It employs 50 people, and its turnover last year was around 16 million euros.
Founded in 2001, 21net has developed an expertise in end-to-end network design and optimisation for broadband Internet on high-speed trains.
The company has installed Wi-Fi equipment for high-speed trains in France (it signed a contract with SNCF in 2016).
Alstom has already worked with 21net on the Wi-Fi and infotainment equipment of the NTV train fleet in Italy.
Jean-François Beaudoin, senior vice-president (digital mobility) at Alstom, said: “This new acquisition — one year after that of Nomad Digital — will reinforce Alstom’s digital offering and expertise.
“The demand for seamless connectivity throughoutpassengers’ journeys is a ‘must’ today. Alstom will support operators in the acceleration of digital trends world-wide.”