The City of Palm Springs teams with SBC Communications and Q3 Telecom to make Wi-Fi service available for travelers to Palm Springs International Airport. Travelers to sunny Palm Springs can enjoy a new hot spot as soon as they fly into town. SBC Communications Inc.,Q3 Telecom and the City of Palm Springs today announced SBC FreedomLink Wi-Fi (wireless Internet) service is available in Palm Springs International Airport. Six SBC Wi-Fi hot spots will be made available throughout the airport to provide Wi-Fi access at all gates, ticket and rental car counters and baggage claim areas.
The SBC Wi-Fi service allows travelers to use laptop computers and personal digital assistants (PDAs) to wirelessly connect to the Internet and corporate networks at speeds 50 to 100 times faster than a dial-up connection. The Palm Springs International Airport is ideally suited for Wi-Fi connectivity, providing added convenience for millions of travelers to conduct business and stay connected while between flights.
“Wi-Fi service is just one of the many conveniences now available to travelers using the terminal facility at Palm Springs International Airport,” said Richard S. Walsh, A.A.E., Director of Aviation. “Together with Q3 Telecom and SBC Communications, this project was proposed and executed with great enthusiasm. Passenger traffic at the airport is at an all-time high, and 2004 will be our busiest year in history. We are delighted to provide this leading technology for the benefit of Palm Springs International Airport’s ever-expanding traveler base. Wi-Fi will long be a tremendous convenience as our facility grows both physically as well as in passenger volume. Getting online and staying connected just became an incredibly simpler process for all of us.”
“We are pleased to add Palm Springs International Airport to our FreedomLink Wi-Fi network,” said Mike Miller, director, SBC Wi-Fi market strategy. “Travelers will immediately benefit by using our affordable and reliable Wi-Fi service here and at more than 5,000 other locations nationwide.”
“Being the First Lady of Wi-Fi for the Palm Springs International Airport is a perfect follow-up for the First Lady of Pay Phones in my industry,” said Janie Hughes-Myers, president and CEO, Q3 Telecom. “Q3 Telecom and all our staff are so excited to bring hot spots to our very cool airport.”
“Now, while you’re waiting to board your flight, you can fire up your laptop and go online,” said Palm Springs Mayor Ron Oden. “The City of Palm Springs is excited to get onboard and ride this incredible wave of employing the latest and greatest technology in the name of improved connectivity, and to continue providing a very unique and memorable travel experience for our visitors.”
“This entire community and its airport are poised for unprecedented growth, and improving technology is key to our ability to expand and prosper and stay a step ahead of other airports,” Oden said. “We applaud Q3 Telecom and SBC Communications for teaming with our airport to bring this idea from concept to reality.”
Monthly FreedomLink memberships are available for $19.95 and provide unlimited access to all SBC Wi-Fi hot spots and discounted rates in roaming locations. Travelers who want walk-up access can purchase a day membership for $7.95 and receive unlimited access to SBC Wi-Fi hot spots for a 24-hour session.
SBC DSL customers are able to use the service at no charge until April 15, 2005. After this introductory period, the price will be $1.99 a month with a one-year term commitment for customers who choose to sign up for the service.
SBC Wi-Fi service is available at five other airports nationwide including Bob Hope International Airport in Burbank, CA, Evansville-Vanderburgh Airport in Evansville, IN, Cleveland International Airport, Little Rock National Airport and Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport.
SBC FreedomLink Wi-Fi service is the nation’s second largest Wi-Fi network with service available in select McDonald’s restaurants, The UPS Store(TM) and Mail Boxes Etc. locations, Caribou Coffee shops, airports, hotels, convention centers, restaurants, state parks, rest stops and welcome centers.
Customers can view a list of FreedomLink Wi-Fi locations and obtain ordering information by visiting http://www.sbc.com/freedomlink.
About SBC
SBC Communications Inc. is a Fortune 50 company whose subsidiaries, operating under the SBC brand, provide a full range of voice, data, networking, e-business, directory publishing and advertising, and related services to businesses, consumers and other telecommunications providers. SBC holds a 60 percent ownership interest in Cingular Wireless, which serves more than 46 million wireless customers. SBC companies provide high-speed DSL Internet access lines to more American consumers than any other provider and are among the nation’s leading providers of Internet services. SBC companies also now offer satellite TV service. Additional information about SBC and SBC products and services is available at http://www.sbc.com.
About Q3 Telecom
Q3 Telecom, Inc. has provided public communication services to the City of Palm Springs since 1992. Q3 has customized hardware and software to meet the needs of the Airport, worked with the expansion of the Convention Center, and provided the color preference of the City’s public payphone enclosures to meet the aesthetics requirement of the design review committee.
About the Palm Springs Airport
The Palm Springs International Airport has presented an exciting venue that is unique in its customer base and visitors, comprised of Presidents, Celebrities, acclaimed CEO’s, and travelers seeking the relaxation of our resort. The Palm Springs International Airport is an architectural delight positioned near the City at the end of Tahquitz Canyon. All things considered it is truly a “Resortport” that is red-carpet ready for our distinguished visitors.
FreedomLink(SM) public wireless high-speed Internet access is provided by SBC Internet Services. SBC, the SBC logo, FreedomLink, the FreedomLink logo, and other product names are trademarks of SBC Knowledge Ventures, L.P. All other brand names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. (C) 2004 SBC Knowledge Ventures, L.P. All rights reserved. SBC Yahoo! DSL is an information service that combines DSL transport, Internet access and applications from SBC Internet Services, with customized content, services, and applications from Yahoo! Inc.
FreedomLink Promotion: Connections available at FreedomLink Hot Spots only. Roaming locations are not available, except select McDonald’s restaurants. An 802.11 b/g enabled device is required for Wi-Fi access. Offer will expire on April 15, 2005. Promotion and any session may not be extended beyond the previously stated time. Users must register and receive a SBC Yahoo! DSL User ID and Password before signing onto the FreedomLink network. Also, before starting a session, users must review the Terms & Conditions and indicate their acceptance by clicking on the ‘I Accept’ button. Connections will be limited to the Master Account for SBC Yahoo! DSL subscribers. Subject to change without notice. Service is not available in all areas.
$19.95 monthly pricing requires one-year term commitment. $100 early termination fee applies. Users must pay all service and usage charges incurred prior to termination. At the end of term commitment, service will continue on a monthly basis at current rates. Roaming available at participating locations. For Basic Membership customers, roaming surcharges apply. In addition to FreedomLink Terms and Conditions, acceptance of Membership Agreement is required. All charges will be billed to your credit card.
SBC Communications Inc. Jessica Nunez, 214-665-1329 or Q3 Telecom Janie Hughes-Myers, 760-323-5059