TORONTO, Canada--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 4, 2000--
Every Guest in Every Room Can Now Access the Internet
Up to 50 Times Faster!
HOWARD JOHNSON FRANCHISE CANADA INC., a division of AFM
Hospitality Corporation (TSE:AFM) announced today that it will install
the CAIS Internet/VirtuaLINC hotel solution that allows guests to
access the Internet up to 50 times faster than traditional modem
methods from every room in Howard Johnson Hotels and Inns across
Canada.
This new broadband service is provided by VirtuaLINC Corporation,
CAIS Internet (Nasdaq:CAIS) and Bell Nexxia (TSE:BCE). Howard Johnson
Hotels and Inns across Canada can now offer business travelers the
latest in broadband high-speed Internet access, multi-port meeting
room Internet and public area Internet access. In fact the guest can
use the phone and browse the Internet at the same time; this allows
guests to improve their productivity on the road and meeting groups to
utilize the Internet to enhance their meetings and conferences.
The initial phase, which includes over 40 properties franchised by
Howard Johnson Franchise Canada Inc. featuring high-speed guest-room
and meeting-room Internet connections, expects to be completed by the
end of the 4th quarter, 2000. Additional AFM properties will be
completed in the first and second quarter of 2001.
This is a fantastic addition not only for our Home Office Rooms,
but for all guest rooms. Down the road we see additional advantages
working with our partners in delivering in room movies, and games for
children all towards providing exceptional guest services and value,
says Glen Blake, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for
AFM Hospitality Corporation, the Master License holder for Howard
Johnson Hotels in Canada.
Additionally, selected properties will also offer high quality
videoconferencing from their meeting rooms using CAIS/VirtuaLINC
technology.
Bell Nexxia is providing the broadband network to each hotel
property. This network provides the on-ramp to the Internet at speeds
up to 50 times faster than the traditional modem connection. The
hotels can also use this pipeline for back office data transmissions
such as connecting to the corporate reservation system.
Howard Johnson Franchise Canada Inc. has embarked on this project
in their continued effort to provide the services their customers are
looking for. With the introduction of the high speed Internet system,
guests will no longer have to wait for access, through dial up modems,
but by using their network cards, will be able to connect directly to
the Internet, and still receive those vital telephone calls while on
line.
Phil Colquhoun, president of VirtuaLINC said, We are very pleased
to be selected as a partner by AFM Hospitality. With more than 20,000
guest rooms and 500 meeting rooms already installed in the United
States, we have the expertise to make this a successful program at
Howard Johnson properties as well.
About AFM Hospitality Corporation
Through its subsidiaries, AFM Hospitality Corporation, which also
owns HFS Purchasing Services and AFM Asset Management Inc., is the
exclusive Canadian Master Franchisor for ASTON(R), Best Inns(R),
Hawthorn(R), Howard Johnson(R), Knights Inn(R), Ramada(R) and Villager
Lodge(R). With over 120 locations committed nationally, AFM
Hospitality represents an inventory of more than 12,000 hotel rooms.
The company's primary focus is to increase the number of hotels
franchised by the respective brands, franchise new brands and acquire
other franchise businesses related to the hospitality industry, while
making available property management services. AFM Hospitality
Corporation is a publicly traded company listed on the Toronto Stock
Exchange. (TSE:AFM) www.afmcorp.com.
About VirtuaLINC Corporation
VirtuaLINC Corporation (www.virtualinc.com) is a Dallas-based
broadband communications services company specializing in IP-based
video services, high speed Internet and data services for hotels and
corporations. The company has developed the world's first publicly
accessible, IP video communications network, the V2PN(TM) (Virtual
Video Private Network). In addition to voice, video and network
services, the company offers data transmission solutions, video
streaming and webcasting capabilities.
About Bell Nexxia
Bell Nexxia is Bell Canada's answer to the age of global business.
We offer corporate customers cost effective, next-generation services
across Canada, the United States and around the globe, backed by
unparalleled technological leadership, IP engineering skills and
best-in-class IP-Broadband solutions built for business customers.
Bell Nexxia's Internet Web site is located at www.bellnexxia.co.
About CAIS Internet
CAIS Internet, Inc. (Nasdaq:CAIS) is the leading broadband
solutions company. CAIS provides the mobile workforce with
comprehensive high speed Internet solutions while at home or in
apartments, at work during the day in small-to-medium businesses, or
on-the-go at airports, travel plazas, cruise ships, retail stores, and
in hotel guest and meeting rooms.
Logos, product and company names mentioned are the property of their respective owners.
