Czechs Put WLAN in KFCs

PRAGUE -- Cesky Telecom, in co-operation with American Restaurants, a.s., is now operating five new locations for wireless Internet connections (Wi-Fi Hot Spots) at selected KFC restaurants. The current pilot operation of public wireless Internet access points has thus grown significantly – the number of access points has increased to 42 since the beginning of the project.

“With the placement of access points in selected KFC restaurants, we are attempting to offer customers not only fresh and fast food, but also the added convenience of wireless Internet connection services. We believe that our customers will appreciate this service and that in the future we will be able to extend our access points to other KFC restaurants. As a small bonus, the first 50 users that participate in the pilot project from 1.7.2003 will receive a free KFC breakfast,” stated Daniela Adamikova, Marketing Department, American Restaurants, a.s.

CESKY TELECOM is also extending the pilot operation to 30.9.2003 and customers will thus be able to continue connecting to the Internet free of charge. The only condition is that they have the required technical equipment, such as a properly configured Wi-Fi card in their notebook or personal digital assistant (PDA).

Wi-Fi cards can be purchased for the special bargain price of CZK 1 690,- at all CESKY TELECOM TELEPOINT sales outlets. They can be used in all notebooks that have a standard PCMCIA slot.

A Wi-Fi Hot Spot is a place with one or more access points that receive and send signals through antennae to the surrounding area. Individual access points are connected to CESKY TELECOM’s IP backbone network with a speed of 256 kb/s. In comparison with current mobile Internet access technologies, the Wi-Fi Hot Spots service provides users with a considerably higher access speed. During the testing period, CESKY TELECOM is planning the next step in expanding the service. For the duration of the pilot operation, customers will be able to use high-quality Internet connections free of charge at all Wi-Fi Hot Spots.

Cesky Telecom a.s.