Alstom strengthens its digital offering with the acquisition of 21net, embedded high speed mobile connectivity specialist.
7 March 2018
Alstom has signed an agreement to acquire 21net from the Innovacom fund and other investors.
21net provides embedded Internet and infotainment for the rail industry. Its embedded connectivity solution is based on satellite, cellular and wireless broadband technologies through antennas along the channels. The company has its headquarters in the United Kingdom, as well as subsidiaries in Belgium, France, Italy and India. It employs 50 people and achieved a turnover of around 16 million euros in 2017.
Vincent Deltrieu partner at InnovacomFor 30 years, Innovacom has been a pioneer in the development of new technologies through start-ups and consolidation within leading companies. We are pleased with this new concretisation of the open innovation process for the benefit of all parties.
Created in 2001, the company has acquired expertise over the years in the design and optimization of end-to-end networks for high-speed Internet on board high-speed trains. In particular, the company installed Wi-Fi equipment for high-speed trains in France, following a contract signed with SNCF in 2016. Alstom has already worked with 21net on Wi-Fi and infotainment equipment for the NTV train fleet in Italy.
Jean-François Beaudoin Senior Vice President of Digital Mobility at Alstom.This new acquisition, one year after the acquisition of Nomad Digital, will strengthen Alstom’s digital offering and know-how. Providing passengers with continuous connectivity throughout their journey is now a must. Alstom will support operators in accelerating digital trends worldwide.
The transaction is expected to close in one month and Alstom will then start integrating 21net into the Group.
about 21net
21Net designs and markets high-speed communication systems for the railway industry. The Company is in particular the supplier of the “TGV Connect” Internet access technology deployed on SNCF’s TGV fleet in France, making the company the supplier with the largest fleet of trains equipped and supervised in the world (over 300 trains). The growth and development prospects for 21Net are very strong in a “Smart City” context where passengers / citizens demand connectivity in all their journeys identical to the one they have at home in their lounge. In addition to high speed, demand now also concerns Intercités conventional trains, RER, tramways or buses and the metro in all the world markets where the company already has references and locations (Europe, USA and India). The company was acquired by ALSTOM in 2018.
