Friday, October 17th 2003

Jurys Doyle Hotel Group connects with InterFusion Networks
Interfusion Networks wins contract to deploy and manage

Broadband access for hotel guests in Ireland and the UK

- first deployment of a wired, broadband service in an Irish hotel
- Wired and wireless access
- ‘Always-on’ connection 12 times faster than a regular modem
- Simple ‘plug-n-play’ solution
- Attracts business travellers, events, meetings and conventions
- Increased revenue opportunities for hotel
- Gives hotel competitive advantage

InterFusion Networks, a leading provider of networking solutions and services, today announced that it has won the contract to plan, deploy, manage and support high-speed broadband internet access for the Jurys Doyle Hotel Group, Ireland’s largest and leading hotel group. The service is primarily aimed at business travellers who want fast, low-cost Internet access to check e-mail, log on to their corporate network, and browse the Web. InterFusion Networks was awarded the contract following a competitive tender process.

To date the service has been implemented in two Jurys Doyle Hotels with plans to roll out the service in other hotels over the coming months. In Dublin, the Jurys Inn Custom House is the first ever hotel in Ireland to deploy wired broadband, with 100 rooms offering the service. Jurys Inn, Newcastle has deployed high-speed broadband access in all of its 274 rooms. The technology is currently being implemented in the Burlington Hotel in Dublin and in Jurys Inn, Glasgow. Operating at speeds up to 512 kilobits per second, the service also provides wired and wireless Internet access in the hotels’ conference rooms and public areas.

InterFusion Networks already fully manages the day-to-day operation of the Jurys Doyle Hotel network across 30 sites in Ireland, the UK and the US and serving approximately 4,000 employees. In addition to planning and deploying high-speed broadband connectivity for guests of Jurys Doyle Hotels, this latest project also entails the management of a separate broadband network for the hotel group from InterFusion’s Network Operations Centre (NOC).

“High-speed Internet connectivity, once an amenity is now a necessity,” comments Niall Geoghegan, sales and marketing director, Jurys Doyle Hotel Group. “Business guests want to be able to access information from as many places as possible, so alongside other office and commercial functions we need to be able to offer broadband Internet access. This service gives Jurys Doyle Hotels the ability to offer a state-of-the-art service, while providing the hotel with additional revenue stream and giving us a competitive advantage.” Mr. Geoghegan adds: “Under this agreement we can take advantage of InterFusion Networks’ extensive network management expertise and high level of technical knowledge and experience which they have proven to us in the past. To date we have found them to be most proactive, delivering on budget, on time and to specification.”

Commenting on the deal, Steve MacNicholas, business development director, InterFusion Networks says. “As businesses begin to realise the cost-savings and flexibility to be gained from VPN-based solutions, the demand for high-speed internet access for employees on the move increases. By deploying high quality, high performance internet access into guest rooms and conference rooms we can help Jurys Doyle Hotels leverage the full power of the Internet and attract the lucrative business traveller.” Mr. MacNicholas adds: “The technology was designed with simplicity and convenience in mind. The ‘plug-n-play’ service allows guests to connect seamlessly without having to change their laptop or PDA settings. Billing is 100% automated. Guests can access their corporate networks on a reliable, secure connection that is always available, always on. Through our continuous management and support services we can ensure that Jurys Doyle Hotels’ investment in the deployment of this service is fully maximised and that hotel guests get to enjoy the benefits of speedy Internet access.”

The service uses Cisco Systems’ Broadband Building Service Management (BBSM) platform, allowing users to connect to the Internet without changing any parameters on their Laptop or PDA. The solution is non-intrusive and utilises port identification technology so guests cannot see each other’s computer when logging on to the Internet from a hotel room. In addition, where the wiring in a hotel does not meet the Ethernet standards, InterFusion Networks uses Cisco Systems’ Long Reach Ethernet (LRE), enabling broadband to be deployed in older hotels over standard telephone wires.

Press Queries To:
Steve MacNicholas - Business Development Director, InterFusion Networks
Tel: (01) 419 0974