Hotel Online Special Report
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On Command Corp And Marriott Begin Market Trials Of In-Room High-Speed Connectivity Solutions
 
SAN JOSE, CA, November 2, 1998 �  Bringing high-speed Internet access connectivity to hotel guests and meeting groups, On Command Corporation (NASDAQ: ONCO) and Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) announced today that the companies will begin a series of market trials that include laptop and high-bandwidth Internet connectivity.  The first test phase is expected to include 3,000 guest rooms and meeting space at seven full-service Marriott and Renaissance hotels in the United States.

Various pricing and technology configurations are expected to be tested during the trials, reflecting the variety of hotel designs and the diversity of guest requirements. The trials, showcasing the best-of-class, high-speed connectivity solutions in the marketplace, are designed to create the optimal pricing packages necessary to support chainwide deployment.

�The in-room, high-speed connectivity marketplace is evolving rapidly with several competing technologies,� said Brian Steel, On Command�s Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer.  �The trust and strong working ties On Command enjoys with Marriott allows for this flexible arrangement and will greatly assist our market trials.�

�Business travelers, meeting planners and convention attendees will benefit the most from the On Command and Marriott partnership,� noted Dan Banchiu, Vice President, Rooms Operations at Marriott International.  �Laptop users will, for the first time, have the speed and secure connection they need to work productively when on the road.  Meeting organizers can book training
programs and conventions into properties knowing the network infrastructure will be in place to showcase the high bandwidth Internet applications frequently required by trade show and convention attendees.� 

Steel added, �Today�s announcement marks yet another milestone in the continuing evolution of On Command�s role as the global leader for providing in-room entertainment and information services to hotels and their guests.  Increasingly, On Command is recognized for its transition from being a provider of in-room entertainment products to being the premier systems integrator and programming content aggregator in the industry.�

Marriott International, Inc. is a leading worldwide hospitality company, with over 1,700 operating units in the United States and 53 other countries and territories.  Major businesses include hotels operated and franchised under the Marriott, Ritz-Carlton, Courtyard, Residence Inn, Fairfield, TownePlace Suites, SpringHill Suites, Renaissance, and Ramada International brands; vacation club (timeshare) resorts; senior living communities and services; and food service distribution.  The company is headquartered in Washington, D.C. and has approximately 131,000 employees.  In fiscal year 1997, Marriott International reported total sales of $9.0 billion.

On Command Corporation is the world�s leading provider of in-room entertainment, information and business services to the lodging industry. The company is based in San Jose, California with offices located across the United States and around the world in Bangkok, Hong Kong, London, Madrid, Mexico City, Singapore, Sydney, and Toronto.  The company annually serves more than 200 million guests worldwide, covering approximately 3,200 hotel properties and 921,000 guest rooms.  On Command Corporation is listed on The NASDAQ Stock Market under the symbol ONCO and its warrants are traded under the symbols ONCOW and ONCOZ.  On Command Corporation is a majority-owned subsidiary of Ascent Entertainment Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: GOAL).

This report contains, in addition to historical information, forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which reflect the Company�s current judgments of those issues.  However, because those statements are forward-looking and apply to future events, they are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause the Company�s results to differ materially.  In addition to the factors discussed herein, which could cause the Company�s results to differ materially, this report should be read in conjunction with the Company�s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997 and Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1998 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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Contact:
Les Luchter 
(Bender, Goldman & Helper)
(212) 371-0798,
[email protected]
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Also See:
Technology: A Guide to Lodging Internet Connectivity / HMM / Russell Shaw / June 1998
INTxx Launches Cyberoom, an Internet Hotel Amenity / Oct 1998
Lodgenet Acquires Connect Group / June 1998 
Internet Access for the Road Warrior Easier Than Ever / July 1998 

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