Southbridge Hotel & Conference Center Offers Air11 Wi-Fi Internet Access Using Toshiba's Wireless Broadband Hotspot Solution

Business Wire, June 10, 2003

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

SOUTHBRIDGE & SOUTHBOROUGH, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 10, 2003

State-of-the-Art Conference Facility Enhances Services for Meeting

Planners, Meeting Participants and Hotel Guests

The Southbridge Hotel & Conference Center, a premier conference center and hotel, and Air11 Technology(SM), a leading provider of fee-based, revenue-shared Wi-Fi(R) hotspots to the hospitality, leisure and retail industries, today announced that the hotel has installed wireless Internet access in the public areas of the hotel for the use of guests and meeting participants.

Known as a "hotspot," the wireless service is based on a solution from Toshiba's Computer Systems Group which provides wireless access in public spaces.

The Southbridge Hotel & Conference Center -- newly opened in 2002 and strategically located midway between Boston and Hartford, Conn. -- has established a reputation for providing leading-edge meeting and guest facilities.

The addition of a Wi-Fi hotspot enables guests of the hotel to wirelessly check e-mail, access corporate systems and surf the Internet at high speed in the hotel's concourse, lounge, outdoor courtyard and business center. With the new Wi-Fi hotspot capabilities, the hotel will enhance the numerous amenities they already offer to their guests.

"A hallmark of Southbridge Hotel & Conference Center is our commitment to providing meeting planners and guests with all the tools they require to conduct business effectively and make their stay more enjoyable and productive," said Kim Cameron, general manager, Southbridge Hotel & Conference Center. "The addition of a Wi-Fi hotspot in our facility is another proof point of that commitment."

Air11 Technology has provided the hotel with a system based on Toshiba's managed Wi-Fi hotspot equipment. Using Toshiba hotspot technology and Air11 Technology design, customization and installation resulted in a high-quality service for guests and meeting participants.

"We are extraordinarily pleased to add the hotel to the growing network of Wi-Fi hotspots we are installing in New England," said Alex Neihaus, president, Air11 Technology. "The hotel has extended its lead over others by offering guests an exciting, easy-to-use and affordable service."

End user access is managed by Toshiba's integrated back-end system that automates billing, revenue allocation and customer support. Air11 Technology's solution removed the burden of technical support and training from the hotel, allowing it to quickly turn the growing demand for Wi-Fi hotspots into an additional guest convenience.

"Toshiba is very pleased to have the hotel join its growing nationwide network of public-access Wi-Fi hotspots," said John Marston, vice president of business development for Toshiba's Computer Systems Group. "Wi-Fi access in the Southbridge Hotel & Conference Center signals emergence of a new phase of hotspot deployment, a phase in which accessibility follows mobile workers into every type of workplace."

The popularity of Wi-Fi access is growing astronomically. Manufacturers of laptop PCs and personal digital assistants now include Wi-Fi capabilities as built-in features of their products. Millions of Wi-Fi cards and access points have been sold in the last two years.

This leads to an increasing need for public-access hotspots to which people may connect their equipment. Air11 Technology is satisfying this need for businesses in New England by making Wi-Fi hotspots a profit stream instead of a cost and eliminating the technical burden of installation and operation.

About Southbridge Hotel & Conference Center

The Southbridge Hotel & Conference Center is located in the peaceful New England town of Southbridge. It is easily accessible within just one hour's drive from both Boston and Hartford. Southbridge combines the beauty and hospitality of a fine hotel with the technological convenience of a conference center -- all under the attentive management of ARAMARK Harrison Conference Centers. Contact the hotel at phone: 508/765-8000, fax: 508/765-4566, e-mail: info@southbridgehotel.com.

About Air11 Technology

Air11 Technology, a premier provider of fee-based, wireless Internet access via managed Wi-Fi hotspots, specializes in serving the needs of the New England hospitality, retail and leisure industries. Air11 Technology solutions include revenue-shared wireless network design, installation, customization and management. Contact Air11 Technology by phone at 508/481-3710, fax 508/481-3710, e-mail: info@air11.com.

Note to Editors: Air11 Technology and the Air11 logo are service marks of TSB Enterprises Inc. dba Air11 Technology. Wi-Fi is a registered trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance.