High Speed Internet Usage Exceeds 20% Throughout Wingate Inn® Hotel Chain
PARSIPPANY, NJ Consumers are proving that there's definitely a strong demand for hotel high speed Internet access as usage rates have surpassed 20 percent throughout the Wingate Inn hotel chain.
PARSIPPANY, NJ Consumers are proving that there's definitely a strong demand for hotel high speed Internet access as usage rates have surpassed 20 percent throughout the Wingate Inn hotel chain.
What makes this statistic even more remarkable is that the industry usage average is only 3-5 percent.
"While our overall system average exceeds 20 percent, that number only begins to tell the complete story as 86 percent of Wingate Inn hotels have double digit usage," explains Keith J. Pierce, President and CEO of Wingate Inns International, Inc. "We believe that our free-to-guest model is the biggest factor in the ongoing success of our high speed amenity. Guests with Ethernet-equipped laptop computers know that they have free access to the same advanced high speed Internet technology that's available to them in their office or home."
Wingate Inns' high speed Internet access amenity is powered by LodgeNet Entertainment Corporation's Internet managed connectivity solution, On Line by LodgeNet®. A guest simply plugs his or her computer into the room's Ethernet-based Internet jack and launches the laptop's resident browser application. Access is instantaneous, at speeds up to 50 times faster than traditional phone modems, with no software installation or re-configuration required. And for guests not traveling with laptop computers, they can utilize the brand's Internet on the Television for a nominal fee.
"When we made the decision to become the first nationwide hotel chain to provide this amenity, we knew there was going to be a high demand for the amenity," states Pierce. "The number of business travelers carrying laptop computers was continually increasing, as was the need to stay connected to the home or office. These outstanding usage rates clearly reinforce Wingate Inns' position as the technology leader for travelers."
Wingate Inns International is an all-new construction hotel chain that opened its first franchised hotel in July 1996. Its focused service, upper mid-market franchised hotels feature sophisticated, consumer-based enabling technology and comfortable, oversized rooms that were created in response to business travelers' needs.
All Wingate Inn hotels are independently owned and operated under franchise agreements.
Reservations can be made by calling the Wingate Inns toll-free reservation center at 1.800.228.1000 or through the company's website at