An Aggressive 30-Day Launch of Wireless Internet Access In Hotel Public Areas Is Initiated In Anticipation of New Intel(R) Centrino(TM) Mobile Technology
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 11, 2003-- Hilton Hotels & Resorts announced plans today to install high-speed wireless Internet access at nearly 50 Hilton-brand hotels and resorts in major metropolitan areas throughout North America within the next 30 days (list attached). This initiative is the first stage of what is expected to be a system-wide rollout of high-speed Internet access in Hilton's 230 full-service properties across the U.S., Canada and Mexico in the coming months. The wireless Internet access points will be located in hotel lobbies, lounges, restaurants and public areas and complement the existing high-speed wired Internet infrastructure already available in guestrooms at these Hilton hotels.
"From cellular phones and PDAs to an exciting new level of laptop computer technology, today's travelers want and need the tools to be more productive. They want the flexibility to communicate quickly and conveniently, without being hampered by slow connections," said Robert E. Dirks, senior vice president -- brand management and marketing for Hilton Hotels & Resorts. "Hilton's new high-speed Internet access initiative empowers a growing number of our hotel guests and meeting attendees with the mobility they're looking for -- from the ability to connect to the Internet to sending e-mail and accessing their company's virtual private networks without any major reconfiguration of their mobile computer devices."
The systemwide installation of high-speed wired and wireless technology is a progressive step in Hilton's longstanding tradition of offering and introducing innovative new services to travelers when they need it most. Hilton and Intel® Corporation are working together on an extensive marketing campaign to drive awareness of Wi-Fi (802.11b) hotspots, where wireless LAN capable notebook computer users can connect to the Internet and corporate networks wirelessly.
Intel's new Centrino(TM) mobile technology, featuring integrated wireless LAN capability, is being introduced later this week. The Intel Centrino mobile technology brand represents Intel's best technology for mobile computing and is designed to enable an unwired computing experience while enabling extended battery life and outstanding mobile performance in thinner and lighter form factors.
"As people from all walks of life begin to experience the speed and flexibility of this new way to connect and communicate with business associates as well as family members when on the road, we look forward to deploying this exciting new level of high-speed Internet service in cities big and small across the Hilton system," Dirks added.
Hilton's high-speed Internet service will be fully compatible with Centrino-enabled computers and other wireless LAN-capable laptop computers, tablet PCs and PDAs that operate on Microsoft Windows, Macintosh, Unix and Linux operating systems.
Signage will be located in the Hilton hotel public areas that identifies where wireless high-speed Internet access points are available. By following a simple set of on-screen instructions from their Internet connection application, guests will be able to surf wirelessly on the Web at Hilton Hotels & Resorts at speeds of up to 50 times faster than a dial-up connection. Just as important, the service will be backed by a 24-hour, toll-free customer support line that will be available for all users.
Hilton International Co., a subsidiary of London-based Hilton Group plc that operates Hilton full-service hotels in more than 70 countries and shares a worldwide alliance with U.S.-based Hilton Hotels Corporation, has recently announced a partnership with British Telecom to launch wireless high-speed Internet access hotspots in nearly 40 hotels across the United Kingdom. This move by both Hilton companies increases the total number of locations offering this service to approximately 100 Hilton hotels and resorts worldwide this Spring.
NOTE TO EDITORS: Intel and Intel Centrino are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries.
HILTON HOTELS & RESORTS WIRELESS HIGH-SPEED INTERNET ACCESS
Service Will Be Available At These Hilton Properties On Or Before March 30, 2003
Hotel Name City State ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort Phoenix AZ Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak Resort Phoenix AZ Hilton Suites Phoenix Phoenix AZ Hilton Costa Mesa Costa Mesa CA Hilton Glendale Glendale CA Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines La Jolla CA Hilton Oakland Airport Oakland CA Hilton Suites Anaheim / Orange Orange CA Hilton San Diego Resort San Diego CA Hilton San Francisco & Towers San Francisco CA Hilton Santa Clara Santa Clara CA Hilton Washington Washington DC The Capital Hilton Washington DC Hilton Atlanta Airport Atlanta GA Hilton Hawaiian Village Honolulu HI The Palmer House Hilton Chicago IL Hilton Chicago Chicago IL Hilton Chicago O'Hare Airport Chicago IL Hilton Suites Oakbrook Terrace Oakbrook Terrace IL Hilton New Orleans Airport Kenner LA Hilton New Orleans Riverside New Orleans LA Hilton Boston Back Bay Boston MA Hilton Boston Logan Airport Boston MA Hilton Minneapolis Minneapolis MN Hilton Charlotte Charlotte NC Hilton East Brunswick East Brunswick NJ Hilton Short Hills Short Hills NJ Hilton New York New York NY The Waldorf-Astoria New York NY Hilton Rye Town Rye Brook NY Hilton Tarrytown Tarrytown NY Hilton Portland Portland OR Hilton Pittsburgh Pittsburgh PA Hilton Suites Brentwood Brentwood TN Hilton DFW Lakes Exec Conf. Center Grapevine TX Hilton Alexandria Mark Center Alexandria VA Hilton McLean Tysons Corner McLean VA Hilton Seattle Airport & Conf. Center Seattle WA