PARSIPPANY, NJ (November 12, 2001) - Consumers are proving that there�s definitely a strong demand for hotel high speed Internet access as usage rates have surpassed 20 percent throughout the Wingate Inn hotel chain.  What makes this statistic even more remarkable is that the industry usage average is only 3-5 percent.

�While our overall system average exceeds 20 percent, that number only begins to tell the complete story as 86 percent of Wingate Inn hotels have double digit usage,� explains Keith J. Pierce, president and CEO of Wingate Inns International, Inc.  �We believe that our free-to-guest model is the biggest factor in the ongoing success of our high speed amenity.  Guests with Ethernet-equipped laptop computers know that they have free access to the same advanced high speed Internet technology that�s available to them in their office or home.�

Wingate Inns� high speed Internet access amenity is powered by LodgeNet Entertainment Corporation�s Internet managed connectivity solution, On Line by LodgeNet®.  A guest simply plugs his or her computer into the room�s Ethernet-based Internet jack and launches the laptop�s resident browser application.  Access is instantaneous, at speeds up to 50 times faster than traditional phone modems, with no software installation or re-configuration required.  And for guests not traveling with laptop computers, they can utilize the brand�s Internet on the Television for a nominal fee.
�When we made the decision to become the first nationwide hotel chain to provide this amenity, we knew there was going to be a high demand for the amenity,� states Pierce.  �The number of business travelers carrying laptop computers was continually increasing, as was the need to stay connected to the home or office.  These outstanding usage rates clearly reinforce Wingate Inns� position as the technology leader for travelers.�

Wingate Inns Tests Wireless High Speed;  Looks to Increase High Tech Offerings
 
Wingate Inns International, Inc. is taking its groundbreaking high speed Internet access initiative one step further by beta testing wireless capabilities at the Wingate Inn® hotel in Garden City, New York.  The 60-day test will allow business and leisure travelers with wireless Ethernet card-equipped laptop computers to access the Internet from any public area as well as several guestrooms.

Wingate�s wireless initiative will use 802.11b (Wi-Fi) technology coupled with the brand�s LodgeNet Entertainment Corporation high speed Internet service to test this amenity.  A connection will be established between a LodgeNet® port and a Symbol® Technologies 802.11b Spectrum24 high speed wireless LAN, allowing business and leisure travelers to gain high speed Internet access without plugging their computers into a port.

�As with our initial rollout of high speed Internet access, which is presently being used by over 20% of our guests, we�re working to keep the Wingate Inn brand ahead of the technology curve in terms of consumer demand,� explains Keith J. Pierce, president and CEO of Wingate Inns International.  �Wireless technology, both in terms of computers and other devices, is quickly gaining consumer acceptance, meaning it�s a perfect time to test the wireless access.  If we receive positive consumer response and strong usage, we�ll make wireless high speed Internet access an option for every hotel in the Wingate Inn system.�

Upon completion of phase one, Wingate Inns will launch a second round of testing that provides Garden City hotel staff with Symbol�s PPT 2846 PocketPC wireless hand-held computers for enhancing customer service.  Namely, they�ll be able to provide wireless check-in/out, wireless room inspections, engineering and maintenance tasking, as well as list guestrooms needing housekeeping.  �The hand-held computers, which also utilize 802.11b technology, will be loaded with MSI (Multi-Systems Inc.) software that�s linked to our property management system,� explains Pierce.  �It�s just another way in which we�re attempting to provide the most enhanced and top-notch customer service.�

�Symbol�s point of activity wireless and mobile computing solutions are ideal for the hotel industry where there is continual activity 24 hours, seven days a week,� says Doug Lloyd, director of worldwide hospitality markets for Symbol Technologies.  �Wingate Inn guests will surely benefit from this wireless initiative as Symbol�s high speed wireless networking and mobile computing technology have increased productivity and customer service in various vertical markets such as retail, education and healthcare.�

Wingate Inns International is an all-new construction hotel chain that opened its first franchised hotel in July 1999.