Wayport are announcing their objectives for expanding further in the European markets.

Wayport has been active in the European market since 1999 and today provides service to nearly 140 prestigious hotels in major European locations, including top brands like Radisson SAS, Four Seasons, Hilton, Accor and Choice. Latest additions to the Wayport portfolio in January include Avenue Hotel Copenhagen, Park Inn Hotel Baku, Radisson SAS Baku, Radisson SAS Birmingham, Radisson SAS Disneyland Paris, Radisson SAS EU Brussels, Radisson SAS Jekaterinburg.

Wayport has a history of serving not only venues but also operators looking to deploy WiFi networks. Wayport’s solutions to operators range from network outsourcing to fully managed WiFi services, ready to be offered to operators’ end-users.

The rapid development during 2005 in hotel deployments has further caused Wayport to accelerate their expansion plans in Europe. The company’s objective is to gain the same market position in Europe as it today has in United States: To become the leading high-end provider of guest Internet access services for the hospitality industry and the most important WiFi service partner for operators. Wayport’s key initiatives to boost its market share include introduction of new service and business concepts both to venues and operators, aggressive growth of its sales presence and playing an active role in the industry consolidation.

“After a tremendous year in 2005, experiencing nearly 10 million connections on our network globally and deploying thousands of new venues, we look forward to expanding our business in Europe in 2006”, said Mr. Dave Vucina, CEO of Wayport. “We are constantly adding new locations to our network as well as looking for partnership opportunities to bring more value to the venues.”

After acquiring the European provider Netpoint A/S in 2005, Wayport has established their EMEA headquarter in Denmark with regional offices in Finland, Germany, Russia and the UK. Wayport expects 2006 to top the 2005 growth rate and estimates that the majority of European four and five star hotels will offer internet services to their guests in 2006.

“The North American hospitality Internet market is in many respects ahead of ours in Europe” noted Hannu Hoviniemi, VP, Business development in EMEA countries. “Combining learning from that market with our long history and local presence in European markets put us in a position to provide services to the venues that not only meet their customers’ expectations today but are also compatible with future developments. We have a history of bringing new solutions and business models to the market and will continue on that path to respond to the fast moving market.”

Hannu Hoviniemi has been invited to speak at the Hostec EurHotec conference in the London ExCel on 22nd February, and will be offering his experience and view on the hotels’ options in serving the growing demand. Wayport’s solutions will be showcased at booth no. H5528.
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