Marriott To Install Wi-Fi Wireless Internet Access

By Mitch Wagner

Marriott International said on Wednesday that it plans to install wireless high speed Internet access at 400 hotels in the U.S. and internationally.

The service will be available by spring in the United Kingdom, Germany, and the U.S., in some Marriott, Renaissance, Courtyard, Residence Inn, TownePlace Suites, Fairfield Inn, and SpringHill Suites hotels. The company is working with STSN, its preferred high-speed Internet access provider, to provide the service.

The service will be available in hotel lobbies, meeting rooms, and public spaces, complementing current in-room high-speed Internet access. Although some consumer businesses provide free wireless Internet access on premises, Marriott's services will require a fee. The service will use the 802.11b and 802.11a standards.

Marriott tested the services seven months in properties in the San Francisco; Irvine, Calif.; and Salt Lake City area. Pricing information was unavailable.