Internet on Board

Internet on Board has become the new standard of comfort. For passengers, a Broadband Internet connection allows a productive use of their journey time. For train operators, this competitive advantage is a compelling proposition to attract new passengers by upgrading their level of onboard services.

A key competitive advantage

Internet on Board has become the new standard of comfort. For passengers, a Broadband Internet connection allows a productive use of their journey time. For train operators, this competitive advantage is a compelling proposition to attract new passengers by upgrading their level of onboard services.

Internet access isn't just for Business travellers.

Wi-Fi phones and hand-held Internet devices are becoming the new standard mobile device for everyone: for business travellers but also students and leisure passengers.

The 21Net Broadband To Trains solution allows passengers to:

  • Send & receive emails with attachments
  • Use VoIP services such as Skype
  • Browse the web and chat on-line
  • Access corporate intranet via VPN


The 21Net system combines satellite, GPRS and UMTS with Wi-Fi technologies to provide a continuous Internet connectivity to trains based on the following architecture:

Satellite and Terrestrial

  • When running in open space, the Broadband to Trains system connects to the internet via a satellite antenna mounted on the train roof. A primary bandwidth carrier to the train uses a bi-directional Ku-band satellite to send and receive high data rates – up to 4Mbps on the downlink and 2Mbps on the uplink. The satellite communications via the ground station to the Internet.
  • Onboard, the Broadband to Trains system communicates with a central server that controls the system, hosts the portal and local content, and distributes the Internet over the in-train Wi-Fi wireless network. Users access the wireless Internet service using their Wi-Fi enabled lap-top, PDA or Smartphone.
  • A Mobile Access Router automatically switches over to a UMTS or a terrestrial Wi-Fi link when the satellite becomes unavailable. Even when switching between satellite and UMTS or Wi-Fi, the user’s internet session is not interrupted.

Terrestrial Only

If the specific topology of a train route does not require a satellite based solution, 21Net can provide robust Internet access based on any available terrestrial backhaul (GSM, UMTS, Edge, Wi-Fi, Wimax, etc)

By choosing the 21Net Broadband to Trains solution, train operators select a robust, proven, railway-grade complete solution for Internet on Trains.