Company Press Release: eKiosk.com Corporation
May 9, 2000
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., and NEW LENOX, Ill. -- Hilton Hotels Corporation (NYSE: HLT) and eKiosk.com Corporation
have announced a three-year agreement to deploy high-speed public area Internet eKiosks(TM) in Hilton® and
Doubletree® hotels throughout North America.
``eKiosks are high-speed internet access stations. They provide a new way for guests to communicate with the world
when visiting our hotels, and could quickly become as important as the pay phone,'' said Robert Dirks, senior vice
president -- marketing for Hilton Hotels Corporation. ``This important service epitomizes Hilton's dedication to
providing our guests with user-friendly, leading-edge technology and tools to help them be more efficient and connected
while traveling away from office and home.''
An eKiosk is a complete video-capable, Internet communications center, where travelers can stay connected, even
when their laptop computer isn't. eKiosks provide users with direct access to the Internet through a broadband
T1 or DSL connection that lets users surf the Internet or check e-mails at speeds up to 50 times faster than a
regular phone modem. A user-friendly interface guides guests through a wide and growing variety of available Internet
services. A large ``session clock'' helps users track the duration of their kiosk usage. Users may exit the Internet
and end their session charges at any time.
The Hilton Chicago and the Palmer House Hilton recently completed a successful test pilot program of eKiosks, which
began last summer.
``We believe these trials at Hilton hotels in Chicago demonstrate that our eKiosks do provide more reliable Internet
service and more Web-based service options for hotel guests than ever before,'' says eKiosk.com Corporation's CEO
and Founder Don Heidrich. ``By working together, the deployment of eKiosks in Hilton and Doubletree hotels can
only solidify Hilton's overall goal of providing the finest in technology services for the business or leisure
traveler.''
To introduce wired travelers to the convenience of eKiosks, the first ten minutes of Internet access on eKiosks
at any Hilton or Doubletree hotel are complimentary. Nominal charges for eKiosk high speed Internet access services
are handled over the Internet via credit card. Some hotels may also offer pre-paid eKiosk Internet access cards
in gift shops and at the hotel's front desk.
eKiosk.com Corporation is a vertically integrated firm that designs, manufactures and deploys Internet kiosks in
public areas. Information technology experts project that hardware like these kiosks will rapidly replace the more
than 2.5 million payphones existing worldwide. The firm deploys a centrally managed network that makes eKiosk's
points-of-delivery for Web-based communications and eCommerce transactions. eKiosk.com was the first to introduce
Video eMail and remains the industry leader in this technology.
Hilton Hotels Corporation is recognized internationally as a preeminent hospitality company. The company develops,
owns, manages or franchises 1,800 hotels, resorts and vacation ownership properties. Its portfolio includes many
of the world's best known and most highly regarded hotel brands, including Hilton®, Doubletree®, Embassy
Suites®, Hampton Inn®, Hampton Inn & Suites®, Harrison Conference Centers®, Hilton Garden Inn®,
Homewood Suites® by Hilton, Red Lion Hotels & Inns® and Conrad International®.
SOURCE: eKiosk.com Corporation