Travel agencies have been using dedicated connections in Estonia for years. Obviously, because real-time access to reservation systems require dedicated, lease line connections. But all the providers of different travel information or reservation systems used different networking protocol, different hardware and software. All this was not generally compatible to the computer equipment, already in use in travel agencies. Two or even three displays on the table of a travel consultant- this was too much.

In the beginning of 1994 IT Department of Estravel Ltd started the development of an enterprise-wide TCP/IP network. Internet protocol was chosen as a common networking protocol. The goal was to integrate Amadeus terminals and terminals of in-house Unix server, Internet accessibility also in mind.

This project succeeded and the result enabled every workstation in the WAN to have same access possibilities both to Amadeus CRS and to other services, mostly provided by Unix hosts inside Estravel and also at local travel service providers.

This network, first developed for Estravel use only, has expanded since 1995 to cover major cities of Estonia. Practically all the largest Estonian travel agencies and local providers of travel services are connected to this network, called Travelnet.

IT Department of Estravel is an independent company since 1995 - Data Telecom Ltd., acting as an Internet Service Provider. In 1997 the majority of it's shares was acquired by EUnet International B.V.. Among providing high quality Internet services to the commercial customers under the trade mark EUnet Estonia, travel agencies remained to be an important part of our service. In addition to connectivity services, enabling also VPN (Virtual Private Network) solutions between their branch offices, Data Telecom supports the needs of travel agencies also with database products like UniFlex, webhosting, consultation and development of their IT systems.

16 February, 1998
Neeme Takis, president / Data Telecom Ltd.