By year-end 1999, Hilton anticipates that it will be the only hospitality company to offer leading-edge, high speed Internet access to guests at hotels systemwide, and the first nationwide chain to endorse CAIS Internet's OverVoice as its preferred high speed Internet solution in guest and meeting rooms. 

Installation will begin with larger city-center convention Hilton hotels, followed by smaller hotels in second-tier cities. 

"Connectivity to the Internet is critical to functioning in the business world today," said Robert E. Dirks, senior vice president - marketing for Hilton Hotels Corporation.  "By teaming up with a top-tier company like CAIS Internet to deliver OverVoice high speed Internet access to our guests, Hilton demonstrates its leadership in the electronic commerce arena within the hospitality industry.  This important service epitomizes our dedication to providing our guests with tools to help them be more efficient while traveling." 

OverVoice, available for hotels and multi-dwelling properties, expands the existing copper telephone wire to accommodate up to 10 Mbps high speed Internet access, 50-300 times the standard dial-up connection rate. OverVoice offers uninterrupted, business-class service without costly rewiring or system re-engineering for properties. 

"CAIS Internet is excited to offer OverVoice with Hilton Hotels Corporation," said Ulysses G. Auger II, president and chairman of CAIS Internet. "OverVoice delivers a business-class Internet solution, and will revolutionize how people communicate and multi-task during their hotel stays." 

"This agreement between CAIS Internet and Hilton Hotels sets the standard for the hospitality industry in the delivery of high speed Internet to hotel guests and meeting rooms," said Evans Anderson, senior vice president, sales and marketing, and general manager, CAIS Internet. 

Nominal guest room charges for OverVoice high speed Internet access (less than $10 per day) will be billed to the guest's room folio.  Companies wishing to make Internet access available to meeting attendees in conference areas will be able to do so with OverVoice at costs that are a fraction of what is typical in providing Internet access to meeting rooms today. 

CAIS Internet retains exclusive license to OverVoice.  Guests may easily access the Internet with a standard Ethernet-equipped laptop computer. 

CAIS Internet is a tier one Internet Service Provider, offering a full range of high speed Internet solutions from ISDN to HyperDSL, including the patented and patent-pending data-over-voice technology, OverVoice. CAIS Internet is headquartered in Washington, DC. 

OverVoice is available for hotels and multi-unit properties. Internet users wishing to learn more about CAIS Internet's OverVoice product may visit the website at www.overvoice.com, or call 888.OVERVOICE. 

Hilton Hotels Corporation is recognized internationally as a preeminent hospitality company.  The company develops, owns, manages or franchises hotels, resorts and vacation ownership properties.