SkyRiver Communications was selected today by Pacifica Host Hotels as the exclusive vendor for Wi-Fi services to Pacifica Host's 20 hotels located throughout California, Arizona, New York, and Florida. With these services, hotel guests will now have an option to get connected with high-speed wireless Internet access in any room, as well as other areas of the hotel grounds.
SkyRiver will provide Wi-Fi and Internet access services to each hotel, as well as manage the network and furnish ongoing 24/7 customer support. Hotel guests will be able to connect to the Internet with any standard 802.11b wireless device or the hotel will provide them with one. Service rates will be determined by Pacifica Host.
"Our guests have been asking for a wireless Internet service and we are pleased that we can now provide it to them," commented Pacifica Host Vice President of Operations Sushil Israni. "We selected SkyRiver based on its wireless expertise and reputation for excellent customer service."
Based on the success of this launch, SkyRiver and Pacifica Host are planning to offer Wi-Fi service to Pacifica Host's 19 other hotels across the United States.
"We are equally pleased to have been selected by a company with the prestige of Pacifica Host," said SkyRiver President Shekhar Deshpande. "They are certainly a valuable addition to our Wi-Fi customer portfolio. We greatly appreciate the opportunity of building a long-lasting relationship with such a valuable partner."
SkyRiver Communications is a wholesale broadband wireless access (BWA) provider of low cost, high speed Internet access services. SkyRiver deploys and operates last-mile broadband and Wi-Fi networks in Southern California, with plans to expand to other market areas throughout 2003. Wireless broadband access service can be installed within three business days, and typically is less expensive than traditional wireline services such as business grade DSL and T-1s. SkyRiver's Wi-Fi services can be provided anywhere in the United States.
Pacifica Host Hotels is the hotel and motel management arm of Pacifica Companies. There are currently over 30 properties in the Pacifica Host portfolio located in California, Arizona, New York, Texas and Missouri. A majority of the hotels are flagged with nationally recognized brand names such as Courtyard by Marriott, Best Western Inns, Holiday Inn Express, Comfort Inn, Clarion Inn and Days Inn Suites.
September 30, 2003 - Starwood and Intel Expand Their Relationship Overseas to Enable Wireless Internet Access in Hotels across Asia Pacific
Hotels & Resorts Worldwide (NYSE: HOT) and Intel Corporation recently announced a marketing agreement to enable wireless Internet access in 39 Sheraton, Westin, St. Regis, The Luxury Collection, Four Points by Sheraton and W hotels in 10 countries and regions across Asia Pacific. This announcement further enhances the companies' relationship established earlier this year to enable wireless Internet access in more than 150 Sheraton, Westin and W hotels in the United States.
Starwood and Intel will collaborate through Asia Pacific-wide marketing and in-hotel promotion to drive awareness of wireless 802.11, or Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) hotspots in participating Starwood hotels where notebook users can connect to the Internet and corporate networks wirelessly. In addition, Starwood's wireless LAN solution will also enable the use of other wireless devices such as PDAs, pocket PCs and tablets. Hotspots will primarily be installed in hotel lobbies and meeting rooms to complement in-room high-speed Internet access already installed in most Starwood hotels.
"Frequent business travelers tend to be early adopters of new technology, especially technology that makes life on the road easier and more productive," said Miguel Ko, President, Starwood Asia-Pacific. "By being among the first to offer Wi-Fi connectivity, Starwood hotels will provide business travelers with the convenience and connection they need when working on the road. We continue to aggressively research new technologies, and develop technology amenities that make traveling easier and relaxing for our guests."
"From PC makers to service providers to airports, hotels and retail locations, we are seeing strong acceptance for Intel Centrino mobile technology. Intel continues to work with companies such as Starwood to establish hotspots that will enable consumers and business travelers to have wireless access worldwide," said Gerry Greeve, general manager, Intel Asia Pacific. "Through this agreement, we are enabling notebook users to have access to their information and entertainment in the lobbies and meeting rooms of the hotel."
Intel Centrino mobile technology was specifically architected for mobility, providing an optimized and validated set of technologies to enable an outstanding mobile experience. The Intel Centrino mobile technology brand represents Intel's best technology for mobile computing based on a new processor architecture and wireless LAN capability and is designed for an unwired computing experience while enabling extended battery life, outstanding mobile performance and thinner and lighter form factors.
To drive awareness of wireless Internet availability at participating hotels, Starwood Preferred Guest members will have the chance to earn double Starpoints from October 15 to December 15, 2003, at selected rates when they stay at any of the participating hotels.
Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide has more than 740 properties in more than 80 countries.
Intel makes computer, networking, and communications products.