Wayport and CNN to provide wireless at airports

AUSTIN, Texas -- Wayport, the world's largest provider of Wi-Fi (802.11b) wireless and wired high-speed Internet access in hotels and airports, has announced an agreement with CNN Airport Network, the only satellite-delivered television service specifically designed for waiting air travelers. The two companies said the agreement would allow a complete neutral-host Wi-Fi wireless high-speed Internet solution to the 38 airports in the United States with access to CNN Airport Network.

"This agreement will allow Wayport and CNN Airport Network to enable airports to provide high-speed Internet service for passengers who want to stay productive while traveling and to support private mission-critical applications needed by airport personnel, airlines and concessionaires," said Deborah L. Cooper, senior vice president of Turner Private Networks and CNN Airport Network. "Wayport is well known for its industry-leading service and customer support, and with CNN Airport Network's infrastructure in major airports nationwide, the agreement offers an effective solution to the need for high-speed Internet access at airports."

Neutral-host

The neutral-host wireless solution will run over the existing CNN Airport Network infrastructure. For airports that elect to integrate Wayport's Wi-Fi service, only a simple upgrade is needed, according to Wayport.

The Travel Industry Association of America recently reported that 42 percent of business travelers and 22 percent of leisure travelers use the Internet when traveling.

Wayport markets its neutral-host Wi-Fi network as including such benefits as low impact on airport operations during setup, a complete private as well as public network, neutral-host configuration that allows users of all wireless services to roam onto the network with Wayport's current roaming partners such as AT&T Wireless, Boingo, GRIC and iPass. 

"Wayport and CNN Airport Network successfully implemented a complete high-speed Internet solution at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport," said Steve Fulford, vice president of strategic business development for Wayport. "This experience led us to realize the value of the service nationwide. Through this agreement, we can quickly enable airports with wireless Internet access with minimal impact to their operations and provide them with a great service and incremental revenue stream."

38 major airports

CNN Airport Network, which is run by Turner Private Networks, Inc., can be seen in more than 1,775 gates and other viewing areas in 38 major U.S. airports, representing more than 400 million passenger enplanements annually. CNN Airport Network delivers national and international news, live breaking news, entertainment, weather, sports, business and lifestyle features from CNN and other AOL Time Warner properties.

Wayport is the world's largest provider of high-speed Wi-Fi (802.11b) wireless and wired Internet access in more than 525 major hotels, including such brands as Four Seasons, Loews, Wyndham, Hilton, Marriott, Sheraton, Doubletree and Embassy Suites, and Wi-Fi wireless Internet access in five major airports: Dallas-Fort Worth, Seattle-Tacoma, San Jose, Austin-Bergstrom and Oakland. At airports, travelers also can take advantage of Wayport's 15 Laptop Lane airport business centers, which feature private offices with high-speed Internet access and other business services, as well as mobile devices and accessories for sale.

Last week, Wayport announced it will provide Wi-Fi wireless and wired Internet access at The Westin Bonaventure Hotel and Suites, a landmark hotel with more than 1,300 guestrooms in the downtown financial district of Los Angeles.

Wireless and wired

"Wayport's wireless and wired offerings make them the leader in the industry," said Brian Fitzgerald, general manager for The Westin Bonaventure Hotel and Suites. "In addition to superior technology and customer care, Wayport is the only provider that will offer our property dedicated sales support and ongoing marketing initiatives that promise to increase business for our hotel."

Guests of The Westin Bonaventure will be able to stay connected and productive by using Wayport's high-speed wired Internet access in 1,354 guestrooms; wired and Wi-Fi wireless access in 33 meeting rooms; and Wi-Fi wireless access in common areas, such as the lobby, pool deck and restaurants. Installation is scheduled to be complete by the end of April.

Three weeks ago, Wayport announced it will provide Wi-Fi wireless and wired Internet access at The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa, a four-star, four-diamond property in the heart of Houston. "We chose Wayport because they are clearly the leader in the industry," said Philip Fell, director of information services for The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa. "Wayport provides not only superior technology and customer care, but also dedicated sales support that promises to increase business for our hotel."

Guests of The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa will be able to stay connected and productive by using Wayport's high-speed wired Internet access in guestrooms and meeting rooms, as well as connecting via Wi-Fi wireless in common areas, such as the lobby of the property. Installation is scheduled to be complete by the end of February.

Hammons Hotels

And one month ago, Springfield, Mo.-based John Q. Hammons Hotels announced it has signed an agreement with Wayport, Inc. for the installation of high-speed Internet service in 52 of its properties nationwide. John Q. Hammons Hotels is an independent builder, developer, owner and manager of upscale full-service hotels, resorts and all-suites brands including Embassy Suites, Marriott and Renaissance.

Scheduled for completion in the second quarter of 2003, Wayport's initial installation will provide high-speed wired Internet service in each of John Q. Hammons Hotels' 12,473 guest rooms. Plans include deploying Wi-Fi wireless Internet access in public spaces throughout each hotel property. Hotel guests with wireless Internet-ready notebook computers will be able to connect to the Internet, without plugging in cords or cables, via access points dispersed throughout the hotel property's common areas.