Alstom signed a purchase agreement for the acquisition of 21net, from the Innovacom fund and other investors. The closing of the transaction is expected in one month and Alstom will begin integrating 21net into the Group from then.
21net is a provider of on-board Internet and passenger infotainment for the railway industry and its on-board connectivity solution is based on multiple technologies such as satellite, cellular and high-speed wireless from trackside antennas.
Founded in 2001, the company is headquartered in the UK with subsidiaries in Belgium, France, Italy and India. 21net installed Wi-Fi equipment for high-speed trains in France with a contract signed with SNCF in 2016. Alstom has already worked with 21net on the Wi-Fi and infotainment equipment of the NTV train fleet in Italy.
“This new acquisition, one year after that of Nomad Digital, will reinforce Alstom’s digital offering and expertise. The demand for seamless connectivity throughout passengers’ journey is today a must. Alstom will support operators in the acceleration of digital trends worldwide” declares Jean-François Beaudoin, Senior Vice-President for Digital Mobility at Alstom.
The transaction is part of Alstom’s strategy to develop its digital sector, as the ICT market for rail is foreseeing a double-digit growth over the coming years, thanks to the high digital integration of trains being demanded by operators and passengers. We remind that starting January 2017, Nomad Digital became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Alstom.
Share on:
