Turning Payphones Into Hotspots

SAN DIEGO, Calif. -- inCode Telecom, a leading wireless technology consulting firm, in partnership with Bell Canada, has launched a new pilot service that enables North American wireline carriers to transform everyday payphones into Wi-Fi hotspots. As announced in December 2002, inCode client Bell Canada is the first wireline carrier to implement the new strategy through AccessZone, a Wi-Fi hotspot pilot service that will enable mobile users to automatically connect 802.11b-enabled wireless devices, such as laptops and PDAs, to payphone access points in high-traffic public locations. Commenting on the launch, inCode Telecom CEO John Donovan said, "This new service offering - a comprehensive strategic business and technical plan -- can help wireline carriers grab wireless market share, leverage their existing payphone infrastructure in an innovative and resourceful way, and provide enterprise workers easy access to wireless data. We expect U.S. carriers to follow in Bell Canada's footsteps very soon." inCode's methodology calls for the use of existing wireline infrastructure to create an area of up to 300 feet around payphone locations where business travelers can access the Internet to download data. inCode's plan calls for payphones in high traffic areas to be fitted with Wi-Fi technology; typical locations include airports, train stations, hotels, convention centers and corporate campuses. "inCode's solution for using our payphone infrastructure to provide Wi-Fi services to our customers in high-traffic public locations is an example of resourceful and innovative thinking," said Kerry Eberwein, General Manager Cable & Wireless Solutions, Bell Canada. Bell CanadaInCode Telecom Inc.