Hotel Online Special Report

advertisement
AT&T and LodgeNet to Provide Hotels and Guests with High-Speed 'Plug and Play' Internet
 
BRIDGEWATER, N.J., March 10, 1999 -  AT&T and LodgeNet Entertainment Corp. today announced an agreement to provide high-speed Internet access to hotels across the country. 

Under the multi-year contract, the AT&T Internet backbone will supply high-speed dedicated Internet access to thousands of guest rooms equipped with OnLine by LodgeNet(SM). OnLine by LodgeNet offers travelers access to the Internet through simple ``plug and play'' laptop connectivity and through the guest room television, all at speeds up to 50 times faster than traditional modems. The service also supplies hotels themselves with connectivity to their meeting rooms, back offices and public areas. Deployment of the service is already under way. 

``This is one of the lodging industry's largest and most significant Internet connectivity agreements,'' said Scott C. Petersen, president and CEO of LodgeNet. ``AT&T's broad footprint and its ability to deploy quickly and ubiquitously will enable LodgeNet to bring high-speed, high-quality Internet services to our vast customer base, regardless of geographic location.'' 

AT&T WorldNet Managed Internet Service provides a dedicated connection to the Internet through AT&T's OC 48 IP (Internet Protocol) backbone at speeds ranging from 56 Kbps through 45 Mbps. The service is managed and monitored around-the-clock by AT&T, ensuring high reliability, security and performance. 

``AT&T and LodgeNet are leading the way in enabling people to plug into the Internet quickly and easily when they're away from home or the office,'' said Ken Sichau, president of AT&T Growth Markets. ``LodgeNet's strong commitment to the Internet and comprehensive product offerings are consistent with the high level of service that sophisticated Internet users demand. Our agreement underscores AT&T's commitment to harness the power of data and IP solutions to help companies to grow their business and serve customers better.'' 

With 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, with no software installation or re-configuration required. Business travelers also can connect to their own virtual private networks or the Internet from hotel meeting rooms without reconfiguring their computers. Travelers without laptop computers may also access Online by LodgeNet through the hotel television. 

In January, Wingate Inns International, Inc. announced that it would be the first hotel chain to deploy LodgeNet's interactive guestroom services with Internet connectivity to thousands of rooms nationwide this year. 

LodgeNet Entertainment Corporation (http:/www.lodgenet.com) is a specialized communications company that serves more than 4,500 lodging properties in the United States and selected international markets. Through its proprietary b-LAN® technology, LodgeNet delivers guest pay services including on-demand movies, in-room video games, Internet access and other interactive applications, as well as digital-quality basic and premium free-to-guest programming. LodgeNet is listed on Nasdaq and trades under the symbol LNET. 

AT&T (http:/www.att.com) is the world's premier provider of voice and data communications, with more than 80 million customers, including businesses, government and consumers. AT&T runs the world's largest, most powerful long-distance network and the largest wireless network in North America. The company is a leading supplier of data and Internet services for businesses and the nation's largest direct Internet service provider to consumers. AT&T also provides local telephone service to a growing number of businesses. 

###
 
Contact:
Don Ferenci - AT&T
908-658-7007 (office)
[email protected] 
Ann Parker - LodgeNet
605-988-1000 (office)
[email protected] 
 --
 
Also See: LodgeNet To Bring Internet Laptop Connectivity to 120 Wingate Inn(R) Hotels / Jan 1999 
Lodgenet Now Delivering Interactive Entertainment to over 700,000 Hotel Rooms / Jan 1999
Mirage Resorts Manages Growth Using Scalable 3Com(R) ATM/Fast Ethernet Solutions / Feb 1999 

To search Hotel Online data base of News and Trends Go to Hotel.Online Search
Back to Hotel.Online Press Releases
Home | Welcome! | Hospitality News | Classifieds | Catalogs & Pricing | Viewpoint Forum | Ideas/Trends
Please contact Hotel.Online with your comments and suggestions.