SINGAPORE – DOCOMO interTouch, one of the world's largest hotel technology service providers for the global hospitality industry, has announced a partnership with Accor to provide high speed wired and wireless internet to its newly-contracted Hôtel Ivoire in Abidjan.

Accor, owner of the luxury Sofitel brand, will work with DOCOMO interTouch to provide a full suite of integrated solutions to the west African hotel. The hotel will be officially renamed the Sofitel Abidjan Hôtel Ivoire on January 1, 2013 and is currently undergoing an extensive renovation and rebranding programme, bringing it into line with Sofitel standards.

Charles Reed, CEO of DOCOMO interTouch said: "A wired and wireless internet connection is as much a necessity for today's business traveller as a hotel bed. Our customers expect a connection that is fast, reliable, easy-to-use and secure. DOCOMO interTouch, backed by our parent company NTT DOCOMO, provides an industry-leading technology solution, designed exclusively for hotels."

DOCOMO interTouch has grown to become one of the world's largest and most trusted providers of managed technology services, with an unparalleled 96 percent first-time connection rate, round-the-clock remote network monitoring and a 24-hour toll-free helpdesk. Using increasingly sophisticated software developed in-house, DOCOMO interTouch has established itself as a market leader, providing the full range of technologies and managed services to hotels in Asia, South Pacific, Europe, Middle East, Africa and the Americas.

Accor formally acquired the Hôtel Ivoire earlier this year when it signed the management contract with the Société des Palaces de Cocody (SPDC) representing the Ivory Coast in July. The ceremony marked the start of a large-scale project that will give birth to a new flagship in the region. Sofitel will manage the hotel on behalf of the SPDC and is expected to inject added operating value by capitalizing on the brand's international reputation and know-how.

David Esseryk, VP Consumer Technology for Accor said: "Sofitel gives customers an experience of beauty, quality and excellence. A secure and reliable internet connection is an essential part of that luxury experience so we are delighted that DOCOMO interTouch will be working with us to provide the best broadband service to our clients. "

Accor is expanding rapidly in Africa and has identified a number of key markets for growth. These include Morocco, Algeria, Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Angola and Kenya. With a current network of 17,000 rooms in 18 countries on the continent, Accor is planning to open an additional 5,000 rooms in the next few years.

About DOCOMO interTouch

DOCOMO interTouch has been serving the hospitality industry since 1998, managing more than eighteen million broadband connections each year in guest rooms, meeting rooms and business centers worldwide. DOCOMO interTouch's innovative technologies provide one stop shop technology solutions to hotels, giving travellers and conference attendees convenient access to communication, information and entertainment services in over 70 countries. DOCOMO interTouch will continue to expand its market presence to support the needs of its hotel partners including Accor, around the world.

About Accor

Accor is one of the world's leading hotel operators and market leader in Europe, with operations in 92 countries, nearly 3,500 hotels and 440,000 rooms. Accor's broad portfolio of hotel brands - Sofitel, Pullman, MGallery, Grand Mercure, Novotel, Suite Novotel, Mercure, Adagio, ibis, ibis Styles, ibis budget and hotelF1 - provide an extensive offer from luxury to budget. With more than 160,000 employees in Accor brand hotels worldwide, the Group offers clients and partners 45 years of know-how and expertise.

Sofitel is the only French luxury brand with a presence on 5 continents with 120 addresses in almost 40 countries and more than 30,000 rooms. Sofitel offers a genuine experience of the French "art de vivre".