FatPort powers Hospitality Network's highspeed wireless Internet access network in Canadian hospitals
Vancouver, BC & Regina, Sask - Nov. 6th, 2003 - Hospitality Network, the leading provider of healthcare communications and entertainment solutions in Canadian hospitals and long term care facilities, is pleased to announce its latest technology partnership and service offering: high-speed wireless Internet access powered by FatPort, Canada's most established WiFi Hotspot Operator and provider of turnkey solutions.
"By becoming a 'Virtual Hotspot Operator', we are the latest addition to the 'Powered by FatPort' family," states Al Simpson, President and CEO of Hospitality Network. "FatPort is providing us with a fully managed, HN-branded network that will allow anyone with a wireless-enabled laptop or PDA inside a hospital to access the Internet. Furthermore, hospital employees will be able to access the internal networks securely and efficiently, using the same infrastructure that is being installed."
"Hospitality Network is the perfect example of who our Virtual Hotspot Operator program is designed for," states VP of Business Development, Michael Kuhlmann. "With a leading market share in the hospital vertical, wireless Internet access further completes the existing solution offering, which includes both television and telephone access in hospitals across Canada today."
By rounding out their service offerings with wireless Internet access, Hospitality Network will allow its customers to stay connected during the process of their recovery. Email, instant messengers, and web surfing are all available to patients in their beds, without the hassle of having to worry about any wires.
In addition to offering the network for public use, nurses and physicians will be able to make use of the wireless network in a secure manner, allowing hospitals to explore new ways of improving patient care and providing staff with the added convenience of accessing the Internet when required.
Hospitality Network launched its new partnership with FatPort at the 2003 Ontario Hospitals Association Conference and Exhibition in Toronto (November 3-5, 2003).
After the trade show launch, Hospitality Network plans to trial the FatPort wireless Internet access in a number of hospital sites in the upcoming months. "We plan to provide pay per use Internet service, targeted at patients and visitors, and IT use by hospital employees and doctors," says Paul King, HN's Director of Technology. "We also plan to package the rental of the FatPort wireless Internet access with the rental of a laptop computer, for those patients who do not bring their own laptop or PDA from home. Including the equipment as part of the rental service is an integral part of our "managed solution" offerings." Based on the success of these trials, Hospitality Network will extend this wireless Internet solution to other healthcare facilities across Canada.
About FatPort
FatPort is the largest national wireless Internet service provider (WISP) and provider of Wi-Fi (802.11b) turnkey solutions in Canada. FatPort’s custom-built FatPoint wireless access point enables location owners to quickly establish a commercial FatZone. In each FatZone, anyone with a wireless-enabled laptop or PDA may access the Internet at speeds many times faster than cellular networks. FatPort is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ignition Point Technologies Corporation (TSX-VEN: IPN). (www.fatport.com).
About Hospitality Network.
Hospitality Network (HN) is the leading provider of broadband interactive communications and entertainment solutions to the Canadian healthcare industry. HN specializes in the operation and management of patient television and telephone rental services in over 300 healthcare locations across the country. Hospitality Network's corporate head office is located in Regina, Saskatchewan. Its operations centre in Mississauga, Ontario handles acute care hospital sales and technical support responsibilities. HN employs over 300 individuals across Canada. The company is part of the SaskTel family of companies. SaskTel has been the principal supplier of telecommunications services in Saskatchewan for over 90 years.
For Further Information:
Media Contact
Malcolm McDonald
Marketing Manager, FatPort
604-608-6781
malcolm@fatport.com
Contact: Paul King
Director of Technology, Hospitality Network
1-877-282-2614
pking@hospnet.ca
Ingrid Jors
Director of Marketing, Hospitality Network
1-877-282-2614
ijors@hospnet.ca
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