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| Sprint and KoolConnect(TM) Present New Entertainment Package for Hotel Guests |
| SPRINT LOGO
Sprint logo. (PRNewsFoto)[PM] KANSAS CITY, MO USA | |||
Sprint InSite(SM) with KoolConnect Interactive Media Offers High-Speed
Internet Access, Digital Movies with VCR Functionality and Online Concierge
Services
ORLANDO, Fl., June 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Sprint (NYSE: FON, PCS) and
KoolConnect(TM) Technologies today introduced a new service for the
hospitality industry that enables hotels to offer their guests a complete in-
room high-speed entertainment package, including Internet access, music, games
and digital movies-on-demand with VCR functionality. The new service, called
Sprint InSite(SM) with KoolConnect Interactive Media, is being introduced at
the 2001 HITEC show (booth #129), June 26-28, at the Orange County Convention
Center in Orlando, Fla.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20001013/SPRINTLOGO )
Sprint InSite also features high-speed Internet access for laptop computer
users and allows hotels to offer online concierge services through the TV in
each room. Sprint InSite is custom designed for each hotel, allowing hotels to
extend their brand and create a product that reflects their corporate
identity.
"Sprint InSite offers hotel guests a complete package of entertainment
options and provides hotel owners with a variety of business benefits," said
Jaime Jones, Sprint vice president of sales. "The addition of Sprint InSite is
part of Sprint's strategy to focus on high-growth telecommunications services
and adds to our portfolio of local, long distance and high-speed data services
that we offer to resorts, hotels and other Multiple Tenant Units (MTUs)."
Operated via remote control device or wireless keyboard, Sprint InSite
uses the latest technology to deliver entertainment services through the TV in
each guest room. By using Sprint InSite, hotels and their customers can surf
the Internet and check e-mail at high speeds right from their TVs. Guests who
bring their own laptop computer can also use Sprint InSite to gain high-speed
Internet access by plugging into an Ethernet port. Users can also talk on the
phone and access the Internet simultaneously.
Sprint InSite's digital movies-on-demand system also turns any hotel room
into a private movie house, allowing guests access to a potential inventory of
up to 200 full-length feature films, including first-run releases (those still
playing in theatres). Digital movies-on-demand provides quality and
functionality similar to today's DVD players, with capabilities such as play,
pause and stop. It also allows guests to watch movies as many times as they'd
like over a 24-hour period.
"KoolConnect's commitment to make Sprint InSite successful for its
customers is part of our overall strategy of providing the hospitality
industry with comprehensive entertainment content at a cost effective price,"
said Eran Segev, president of KoolConnect. "Sprint InSite is designed to make
every stay more enjoyable for guests -- whether they're staying for business
or pleasure -- and to reinforce the hotel's branding and customized services."
Sprint InSite also allows guests to listen to their favorite music -- they
can even create their own top 30 list of songs that can be accessed at any
hotel that offers Sprint InSite. A variety of games and local and regional
information -- including news, weather, maps and guides -- is also available.
Hotel Owner Benefits
In addition to offering entertainment options to hotel guests, Sprint
InSite also provides many benefits to hotel owners. For example, Sprint InSite
offers a complete menu of customizable concierge services, easily tailored to
each property's unique requirements.
Hotel owners can create menus on the TV that allow guests to make
reservations, purchase flowers or order pizza right from the TV in their
rooms. Each page also offers advertising space for local and national
businesses, providing additional revenue opportunities for hotels, area
businesses and national corporations.
Sprint InSite also has a messaging system that improves communication with
guests and saves hotel staff time. The messaging system allows the hotel staff
to send out important messages to large or small groups of guests using an
office computer. For example, if a convention is being held at the hotel and
an event time and location has changed, the hotel staff can send the message
to all convention attendees over Sprint InSite with the click of a mouse. A
red light on top of the TV alerts guests that they have a message.
"There are three key things that position Sprint InSite well to serve the
hospitality market," said Imran Khan, senior analyst at The Yankee Group.
"First, Sprint InSite offers a bundled solution to the hospitality market that
is much more than the stand-alone high-speed Internet access offered by most
others in this arena. Sprint InSite provides a full array of content, ranging
from digital movies-on-demand and music to concierge services. Second, Sprint
InSite is customized for each hotel, giving hotel owners an opportunity to
create their unique look and extend their brand. And third, Sprint InSite is
backed by the Sprint brand name, giving it the financial stability and
credibility in a market where many providers have failed to deliver on
promises."
New York Hotel First to Install Sprint InSite
On The Ave Hotel in New York, N.Y., recently became the first hotel to
install Sprint InSite, and will offer the new product in all of its 251 guest
rooms.
"Travelers expect New York hotels to offer cutting edge services,
especially our clientele, which includes performers, entertainment
professionals and media specialists," said Edward Maynard, general manager of
On The Ave Hotel. "By working with Sprint and KoolConnect, not only have we
created one of the most technologically-savvy hotels in the country, we've
made the hotel a better experience for our guests, which is the most important
thing we can do."
About Sprint
Sprint is a global communications company serving 23 million business and
residential customers in more than 70 countries. With more than 80,000
employees worldwide and $23 billion in annual revenues, Sprint is widely
recognized for developing, engineering and deploying state of the art network
technologies, including the United States' first nationwide all-digital,
fiber-optic network. Sprint's award-winning Tier 1 Internet backbone is being
extended to key global markets to provide customers with a broad portfolio of
scaleable IP products. Sprint's high-capacity, high-speed network gives
customers fast, dependable, non-stop access to the vast majority of the
world's Internet content. Sprint also operates the largest 100-percent
digital, nationwide PCS wireless network in the United States, already serving
the majority of the nation's metropolitan areas including more than 4,000
cities and communities.
About KoolConnect Technologies
KoolConnect is a new and innovative Entertainment and Internet
connectivity solutions company focused on the hospitality industry. Their
unique solution blends complete, Digital Video entertainment solutions,
In-room high-speed Internet connectivity and integrated hotel messaging and
Concierge services into one simple, easy-to-use system. For more information
visit http://www.KoolConnect.com .
About On The Ave Hotel
On The Ave Hotel is the Upper West Side's authentic neighborhood hotel,
located just blocks from Central Park, the Museum of Natural History, Lincoln
Center, ABC studios, CBS studios and many of the city's leading restaurants,
clubs and entertainment. Newly renovated, stylish accommodations feature
amenities ranging from Gilchrist & Soames bath accessories to weekday New York
Times delivery. Twenty-three brand-new penthouse rooms and suites top the
full-service hotel. For more information, visit http://www.ontheave-nyc.com .
SOURCE Sprint
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Photo Notes:
NewsCom:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20001013/SPRINTLOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org
PRN Photo Desk, 888-776-6555 or 212-782-2840
CONTACT:
Scott Stoffel of Sprint, 913-345-7952,
scott.e.stoffel@mail.sprint.com ; or Jacob Owen of KoolConnect,
212-261-0493, jacob@koolconnect.com
