Press Release
February 25, 2000
HOUSTON, Texas -- Wayport, Inc. (http://www.wayport.net), a leading high-speed
Internet solutions provider for hotels, airports and conference centers, announced yesterday that Shoney's Inn
& Suites in Houston now offers guests fast, convenient Internet connectivity throughout the hotel - and, with
wireless connectivity, even by the pool. By plugging a laptop computer into Wayport's Ethernet connection, Shoney's
guests can now browse the Internet, receive e-mail and access corporate networks at speeds up to 50-times faster
than regular modem connections, from anywhere on the property.
"Our proximity to high tech companies such as Compaq, GTE MobileNet and Houston Bush Intercontinental Airport
makes us a favorite among business travelers, so we wanted to go further than just providing dataports," said
Nick Patel, director, Shoney's Inn & Suites. "Some hotels offer Internet access but keep guests cordoned
off in their rooms or confined to cramped 'business centers.' With both wired and wireless Internet access, we
can cater to guests who want to check email from their rooms, the lobby or by the pool."
For a nominal fee, guests are able to use Wayport's wired or wireless Ethernet connection to send and receive e-mail
or surf the Web at T1 speed. By following a simple connection process, guests and meeting attendees bypass dial-up
times, busy signals and the hassle of local access numbers.
Wayport brings high-speed Internet access to business travelers in hotels, airports and conference centers throughout
North America. The company's EveryWireÔ system delivers fast Internet access across all types of existing
wiring, and can easily be upgraded to provide future performance enhancements and new features. In addition to
Wayport's Ethernet connection, the Hotel VPN (Virtual Private Network) service delivers high-speed networking to
operate hotel customers' mission critical applications via the Internet, and is offered in conjunction with Wayport's
complete Internet solution for hotels.
"Shoney's guests have responded immediately to the convenience of Wayport," said Brett Stewart, chief
executive officer, Wayport, Inc. "Since the hotel's opening, we've seen an impressively high usage rate. The
Shoney's team has done an excellent job in marketing high-speed Internet to their customers, using billboards,
the hotel marquee and even the hotel's airport bus to promote the service. With the Shoney's installation, we add
another respected hotel to our growing list of clients. We are also excited to bring our service to Houston, which
USA Today recently named one of the nation's most wired cities. An added bonus is finding an enthusiastic Wayport
supporter in Nick Patel, who's well known in Houston not only as a hotelier but also as the owner of 'Avalon,'
a fine wine and cigar store. We look forward to a long and fulfilling relationship."
Just minutes from downtown Houston, Shoney's Inn & Suites offers 71 well-equipped rooms, including major hospitality
and business suites equipped with the finest amenities. Local attractions include the Sam Houston Racetrack, the
Woodlands, Splashtown Theatre and Museum District, Enron Field and numerous high-tech industries.
About Shoney's Inn & Suites
Shoney's Inn & Suites is the newest addition to the Shoney's family, offering 71 comfortable, affordable rooms
and luxurious hospitality suites, as well as fully-equipped meeting rooms. Hotel features include high-speed Internet
access, video conferencing, long-distance dialing, a business center, laundry and exercise rooms, and 25-inch televisions
with cable. In all suites and selected rooms are microwaves and refrigerators, with King Kitchen Suites offering
full-size ovens and refrigerators. Included in the hotel's Interior Corridor are King Jacuzzi, Rain Forest and
Safari suites. Guests also enjoy deluxe continental breakfasts, luxury shuttle service to and from Houston Intercontinental
Airport, an outdoor swimming pool, heated spa, and the hotel's central location. For more information please call
281-876-7378 or 1-877-753-3786.
About Wayport
Wayport, Inc., based in Austin, Texas, and founded in 1996, provides fast Net for people on the move. Travelers
in hotels, conference centers and airports get fast Wayport Internet access and other services throughout North
America. Wayport is venture-financed by Sevin Rosen Funds, Trellis Partners, New Enterprise Associates, GC Technology
Fund and others.
To learn more about Wayport, see www.wayport.net or call Wayport at 1-877-WAYPORT. Wayport is a registered trademark
and the Wayport logo is a trademark of Wayport, Inc. All other product names may be trademarks of their respective
companies.