France Telecom and Orange France have announced
a strategic alliance with Accor to deploy their network of Wi-Fi hotspots in 900
Sofitel, Mercure, Libertel, Suitehotel, Ibis, Etap Hotel and Formule 1 economy,
midscale and upscale hotels in metropolitan France. At least 300 hotels will be
equipped by the end of the year, enabling Accor hotel customers to benefit from
all the advantages of broadband roaming wireless Internet access.
The agreement reflects France Telecom’s commitments to market Wi-Fi services that
are secure, easy-to-use, and provide superior performance. It will make Orange the
leading Wi-Fi provider in France, with the largest network of hotel, airport and other
hotspots deployed at the end of 2003.
Wi-Fi (wireless fidelity) is a wireless technology that delivers the convenience of
broadband anywhere, anytime. Base stations linked to the France Telecom network
allow users to connect to the Internet and corporate information systems, enabling
seamless use of all types of data transfer applications.
Orange Wi-Fi access: adding value for Accor hotel customers
Orange France’s service will meet the highest quality-of-service, security and user
interface standards:
á The interface is very easy to use, in compliance with Accor and Orange
specifications.
á Transmitted data will be secured end-to-end by the IPSec protocol, as well as
via the SIM card used by Orange’s PC Enterprise plan.
á The network will be supervised, with guaranteed time-to-recovery.
Customers, whether or not they are Orange subscribers, can access the high-speed
Internet using pre-paid cards sold at the Accor hotel reception desk. In addition,
Orange has agreed to open roaming service to other Wi-Fi operators.
A strategic partnership for Accor hotels:
These new services will be intended for Accor customers, and especially business
travelers. They will enable users to connect easily to the Internet and e-mail services.
The Wi-Fi network will be deployed in common areas, such as lobbies and bars, in
meeting rooms and in certain rooms. Orange will train Accor employees and supply on-site
marketing materials, such as Accor/Orange signs.
The deployment timetable calls for 50 hotels to be equipped by June 30 and 300 by the
end of the year. Among the 50 first-half sites will be the hotels hosting customers for
the 2003 World Athletics Championship in St. Denis, north of Paris, which Accor is
helping to sponsor.
By joining with France Telecom, Accor will be the first hospitality group to offer this
high-value added service.
About Orange: France
Orange France is a subsidiary of Orange SA, which comprises all of France Telecom’s
mobile communications activities worldwide. It is France’s leading mobile operator, with
49.8% of the market and 19.2 million customers at December 31, 2002.
About Accor:
With 150,000 associates in 140 countries, Accor is the European leader and one of the
world`s largest groups in travel, tourism and corporate services, with two major
international activities:
á hotels: 3,836 hotels (441,281 rooms) in 90 countries, casinos, travel agencies, and
restaurants;
á services to corporate clients and public institutions: each day, 13 million people in
32 countries use a broad range of services (food vouchers, people care and
services, incentive, loyalty programs, events) engineered and managed by Accor.
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