My daily free news tabloid, which I tend to read during the twenty minute ride to school (by train), reported on a rather unique project the Thalys company has launched. Thalys ensures the international connections between The Netherlands, France and Germany and uses high speed trains for the transportation of their customers. Thalys is currently trying out an internet project, in which they offer a wireless connection to all passengers on the train who want to surf or check mail.
First: Back in time to October, 2004 :
RESOLUTION OF PROPOSITION
A. Considering that approximately 700.000 passengers are using the train on a daily basis for at least one hour;
B. Considering a number of foreign projects with wireless internet on public transportation are already far ahead;
C. Considering Belgium owns a very dense cable network along the railroad tracks;
D. Considering WiMAX to be an achievable solution on short term with a long term gain or profit.
E. (…)
H. Considering that the porposal of wireless internet can become an extra service that can make the train more attractive to a new segment of travellers and a become a competititve advantage for the Belgian Railway Federation for a future market that is open and free. (…)
This resolution was proposed on october 20th by Stefaan Noreilde, VLD
(from the Flemisch Liberal Democrats)
FreeMetro reported on Friday, April 22nd :
Travellers of Thalys on Wireless – Thalys has started a test case in which they provide wireless internet access to the users of their train connections. If clients buy a ticket, they also receive a login and a password, which allows them to log in onto the internet. How much it costs to connect yourself whilst moving at 200 mph is not known.
The pilot project remains a test case for three months. Provided that it’d be successful, this technology will become implemented on the Brussels-Paris international connection. (Original article in Dutch)
Talking about fast internet connections at high speed :)
By the way, seems our political system is often working quite fast too.
Click here to know more about the Thalys projectÂ
