WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. & SANTA CLARA, Calif., Feb 2003 (BUSINESS WIRE)—Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT) and Intel Corporation today announced a marketing agreement to enable wireless Internet access in more than 150 Sheraton, Westin and W hotels in the United States.
The installation of wireless 802.11, or Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) technology, in Starwood hotels will take place between March and August and coincides with the upcoming launch of Intel(R) Centrino(TM) mobile technology for notebook PCs. Intel`s Centrino mobile technology features built-in wireless communications capability.
Starwood and Intel are working together, through nationwide marketing, advertising and in-hotel promotion, to drive awareness of WiFi hotspots in participating Starwood hotels where notebook users can connect to the Internet and corporate networks wirelessly. In addition, Starwood`s wireless LAN solution will also enable the use of other wireless devices such as PDAs, pocket PCs and tablets. Hotspots will primarily be installed in hotel lobbies and public areas to complement in-room high-speed Internet access already installed in most Starwood hotels.
“Frequent business travelers tend to be early adopters of new technology, especially technology that makes life on the road easier and more productive,” said Steven M. Hankin, president, Starwood Technology and Revenue Systems. “By being among the first to offer WiFi connectivity, Starwood`s hotels will benefit as awareness and usage of WiFi builds and users search out hotspots when traveling. We continue to aggressively research new technologies, and develop technology amenities that make sense for our guests.”
“In preparation for the launch of Intel Centrino mobile technology, Intel is working with companies such as Starwood to establish hotspots that will enable consumers and business travelers to have wireless access worldwide,” said Ann Lewnes Intel vice president, Sales and Marketing Group, and director, Intel Inside(R) Program and Co-Marketing. . “Through this agreement, we are enabling notebook users to have access to their information and entertainment in the common areas of the hotel.”
Intel designed Centrino mobile technology from the ground up, as well as optimized and validated a set of technologies to enable an outstanding mobile experience. The Intel Centrino mobile technology brand represents Intel`s best technology for mobile computing based on a new processor architecture and wireless LAN capability and is designed for an unwired computing experience while enabling extended battery life, outstanding mobile performance and thinner and lighter form factors.
About Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with more than 750 properties in more than 80 countries and 110,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. With internationally renowned brands, Starwood is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels and resorts including: St. Regis, The Luxury Collection, Sheraton, Westin, Four Points by Sheraton, W brands, as well as Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high-quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For more information, please visit www.starwood.com.
About Intel : Intel, the world`s largest chip maker, is also a leading manufacturer of computer, networking and communications products. Additional information about Intel is available at www.intel.com/pressroom.
——-