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Hotels and Resorts Offer More WiFi Access Than Any Other LocationSAN FRANCISCO --(Business Wire)-- Feb. 7, 2005 -- Recent hotspot numbers from JiWire show that hotels and resorts are now responding to customer demand for WiFi faster than any other market segment Hotels and resorts now offer the most WiFi access via hotspots* than any other type of location, according to recent data released by JiWire, the leading provider of WiFi content and hotspot information (www.jiwire.com). More than 16,000 hotels and resorts currently offer WiFi access, which is up from 9,000 in August 2004, representing a 78% growth in this market segment over the last six months. -0- *T Hotspots per location type: Hotels & Resorts 16,674 Restaurants 9,718 Cafes 8,842 Stores/Shopping Malls 5,566 Pubs 4,873 *T In a recent JiWire survey, 71% of JiWire users stated that the availability of WiFi influences their choice of hotel when traveling. "Both business and leisure travelers have become very sophisticated and expect to have wireless Internet access when they are on the road," says Kevin McKenzie, CEO of JiWire. "Hotels and resorts understand that by offering WiFi as an amenity, they often gain a competitive advantage over those that don't." The United States has the most hotels and resorts offering WiFi with more than 5,000 locations, followed by Germany and France. Within the United States, California has the most hotels with WiFi access, followed by Texas and Florida. For more information about which hotels and resorts offer WiFi access, go to http://www.jiwire.com/search-hotspot-locations.htm and search a specific address or geographic area by "hotel". * A WiFi Hotspot is a physical address where people can connect to a public wireless network. About JiWire Through relationships with more than 400 individual Wireless Internet Service Providers, JiWire is able to offer users the world's most comprehensive and up-to-date guide to free and commercial hotspot locations. Unbiased authoritative how-to guides, product reviews, and industry news demystify the hype and enable mobile professionals and wireless enthusiasts to connect to the Internet without wires. Customers include AvantGo, CNET Networks, Forbes.com, iPass, PC World, USATODAY.com, and Wired.com, among others. JiWire.com was named one of the "50 Coolest Websites" by Time Magazine and its Portable Hotspot Locator was named one of PC World's "Top 70 Free Software Downloads." With over one million people using JiWire's services, the company has created one of the world's largest WiFi communities. "To learn more about WiFi or to sign up for JiWire's monthly WiFi HotStats, please visit www.jiwire.com. |
