SAN DIEGO--IP3 Networks is shipping NetAccess for Hospitality, a high-speed Internet access (HSIA) gateway designed to alleviate the pain associated with provisioning wired and wireless HSIA service in hotels, resorts and convention centers. The demand for high-speed access to email and corporate virtual private networks (VPNs) has become a major technical support headache for hotel IT departments catering to business travelers who don't have time to fool around with their network settings. Deploying IP3's NetAccess for Hospitality allows users to simply launch their Internet browser and, with a few clicks of the mouse, be up and running.

Most gateways on the market were designed for the enterprise; not with the special requirements of the hospitality market in mind.

"IP3 Networks' management team has years of experience in the hospitality market, and they clearly understand what the industry is looking for," Jags Patel, president, Connected Hotels, a leading provider of broadband solutions, said. "NetAccess offers the best feature set at the best value, with a product roadmap that supports the growing needs of hotels, resorts and convention centers."

Incorporating software modules that facilitate integration with systems commonly used by the hospitality market, including property management, credit card authorization and preferred traveler rewards programs, IP3's NetAccess for Hospitality gives hotel guests hassle-free broadband connectivity, enables service providers to deploy HSIA systems cost effectively and provides hotels an easily managed amenity they can count on to increase occupancy.

The failure of many early service providers that based their business on the revenue share model has left hundreds, if not thousands, of hotels looking to replace their HSIA systems.

"Truth be told, the transport equipment used to deliver HSIA to the rooms in most of those properties works perfectly fine. We are finding that the main problem lies with the early generation gateway servers these pioneers used to provision service to hotel guests," Randall Jamison, president, Ze-Net Technologies, said. "Replacing the old gateway servers with IP3's NetAccess allows us to get the hotel back online and greatly reduces the support headaches."

In addition to providing seamless connectivity, NetAccess for Hospitality acts as a control point for billing with support for PMS interfaces that tie into the hotel's billing system as well as offsite radius servers and credit card authorization. Service policy management allows hotels to offer multiple billing options based on user criteria such as location. For instance, a hotel owner can provide free broadband access in guest rooms as an amenity to increase occupancy, offer pay-per-use service in the hotel lobby and then charge for meeting rooms where corporations are willing to pay large fees for fast, high quality Internet access.

NetAccess for Hospitality incorporates multiple redirect and Internet portal options, allowing owners to tailor each guest's experience. For instance, on initial log-in, most guests will see the hotel's portal where they can check their bill or order room service, while guests registered with a convention in the hotel could be redirected to a site listing the next day's sessions and speakers.

IP3 Network's NetAccess allows administrators to configure and maintain services from any location with an Internet connection and Web browser.

According to the Travel Industry Association of America, the number of travelers going online while away from the office skyrocketed nearly threefold from 29 million to 85 million between 1996 and 1999, with as many as 80 percent carrying laptop computers.

"Travelers doing business away from the office no longer consider high-speed Internet access a luxury; for them, it's a must," Mike Lee, president and CEO, IP3 Networks, said. "High-speed access, or the lack thereof, can make or break customer satisfaction with the most lucrative demographic in the hotel industry: the business traveler."

About IP3 Networks

IP3 develops and markets Internet infrastructure products designed to make wireless hot spots and visitor-based networks easy-to-use and manage. For service providers, IP3 delivers management, provisioning, roaming, billing and authentication products that speed deployment, reduce support costs and maximize revenue. For end-users, IP3 products enable seamless, plug-and-play Internet access with zero device reconfiguration necessary when they have a static IP or need to connect to an IPsec VPN. Additional information can be found at .

Derek Asato/Ellen Kardas
(310) 785-0515, Ext. 201/285
IP3 Networks, Inc.