Denver International Airport Offers FreeFi Networks' Free Wi-Fi Service to Passengers
FreeFi Networks Service at DIA Offers Access to Video on Demand Rentals from Disney
FreeFi Networks Service at DIA Offers Access to Video on Demand Rentals from Disney
LOS ANGELES, Jan. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- FreeFi Networks (http://www.freefinet.com), a Los Angeles-based company offering advertiser- supported Internet access at airports, today announced that Denver International Airport (DIA) is now the largest airport in North America to offer free Wi-Fi Internet access through its partnership with FreeFi Networks.
In addition, FreeFi Networks has partnered with Disney-ABC Domestic Television to provide popular video on demand rentals as they become available from The Walt Disney Studios, including new and classic titles from Walt Disney Pictures, Disney-Pixar, Touchstone Pictures, Hollywood Pictures and Miramax Films. Disney hits such as "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End," Disney-Pixar's "Ratatouille" and Hollywood Pictures' "The Invisible" are now available for rent through the new service at DIA.
The switch to FreeFi Networks allowed the airport to eliminate a $7.95 daily charge for Internet access. As a result of the change, DIA is now the largest airport in North America to offer free wireless Internet access terminal wide. The new service is currently averaging between 4,000 and 5,000 daily connections to DIA travelers. The previous paid Wi-Fi service at DIA averaged about 600 daily connections.
"Usage increased by a factor of 10 times during the first four weeks this service was available," said Jim Winston, Director of Telecommunications at DIA. "Our motivation for moving to the FreeFi Networks approach is to deliver a high quality Internet experience to our airport customers, as we continue to provide necessary revenue to the city to satisfy the bondholders that financed the building."
"As a frequent business traveler, I'm excited at the ability to quickly download and rent a movie on my laptop before I get on the plane," said Dan Cohen, executive vice president of pay television and interactive media for Disney-ABC Domestic Television. "Our partnership with FreeFi Networks also allows us to tap into a previously untouched video on demand distribution channel."
"In just minutes, we can deliver DVD-quality video on demand, downloaded directly into the user's laptop," said Richard Bogen, managing director of FreeFi Networks. "Several other U.S. airports have expressed interest in our service and we expect to make several announcements in the first half of 2008 regarding new airport locations."
Users logging on to the network view a brief series of advertisements and banner ads while surfing the Web. Initial sponsors include Microsoft, Nokia, Charles Schwab, Choice Hotels, Toshiba and Ford Motor Company.
"We have found that the time it would take to enter your name and credit card information into a paid system is longer than the time it takes to view the advertising at the beginning of a Wi-Fi session," said Lawrence Laffer, Director of Sales and Marketing for the company. "Our system saves users time and money, while providing a reliable high-speed wireless Internet connection."
"Travelers have come to expect Wi-Fi access in places like airports and hotels," said Mr. Laffer. "With new Wi-Fi enabled devices on the market we believe demand will only increase for network access. Clearly, free access is preferred by the traveling public."
About FreeFi Networks
FreeFi provides free Wi-Fi access services while driving revenue to host venues, which will include airports, hotels, convention facilities, college campuses, chain restaurants, shopping centers and cafes. The private, closely held company is led by media and business professionals with background in online and traditional advertising, wireless infrastructure, real estate and technology and has offices in Los Angeles and Fort Lee, New Jersey.
View the official website for the Denver International Airport.
View the official website for Free Fi Networks.
View an article in the Denver post about DIA setting Wi-Fi Free.