Announcements
JiWire Chosen by Expedia to Enable Customers to Select Hotel Locations with WiFi Access
Visitors to Expedia Can Now Access Information about Hotels and Resorts with Wireless Internet Access; Partnership Addresses Growing Demand for WiFi Among Travelers
San Francisco, Calif. – November 9, 2005 -JiWire, the leading provider of information and services to help people connect to the Internet without wires, today announced that Expedia, Inc. (NASDAQ: EXPE), one of the world?s leading travel service companies, has chosen to include information from the company?s WiFi Hotspot Finder in its online travel booking service. Now, Expedia users can further identify hotels, resorts and other lodging destinations around the world where WiFi access is provided when they are making their travel reservations through Expedia?s online service.
More than 22,000 hotels and resorts around the world provide public WiFi access ? more than any other industry segment. Now, with continually updated information provided by JiWire, Expedia.com shoppers can easily search for accommodations based on where wireless Internet is available when arranging their travel plans.
According to the Travel Industry Association (TIA), more than half (59%) of trips booked online include a hotel/motel/B&B stay. Additionally, the TIA cites searching for lodging as the second most popular aspect of online trip planning, with 53% of travelers using online sites for this important function.
"As the number of wireless Internet users has grown, it has become increasingly important for people to be able to rely on WiFi connections when they're on the road," said Kevin McKenzie, CEO of JiWire. "This year, more than half of all hotel accommodations will be purchased online. Our relationship with Expedia.com will give shoppers instant access to the type of information they're looking for ? and help them make the right decision about where to stay during their trip."
About JiWire
Founded in 2003, JiWire provides information and services to help mobile professionals and computer enthusiasts find and connect to the wireless Internet. Through relationships with 400 Wireless Internet Service Providers (WISPs) and thousands of independent venues, JiWire offers the most comprehensive and up-to-date guide to verified public hotspot locations around the world as well as unbiased how-to guides, product reviews, and industry news. This critical information, combined with services to manage and securely connect to any wireless network, offer users everything they need to safely and easily connect without wires -- anywhere. Customers include AvantGo, CNET Networks, Forbes.com, iPass, PC World, and USATODAY.com, among others. JiWire.com was named one of the "50 Coolest Websites" by Time Magazine and is a recipient of a 2005 Mobility Award presented by MobileTrax. With over one million people using JiWire's services, the company has created one of the world's largest WiFi communities. To learn more, please visit www.jiwire.com.
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