T-Online now enables its customers to gain Internet access via wireless local area networks (WLAN). Focus of the T-Online WLAN strategy is on alliances with strong regional and supra-regional cooperation partners. In this activity, T-Online will not build its own WLAN structure, rather rely on the in-place technologies of its partners. Dial-in at T-Online is conveniently via eMail address and password directly over the browser. Voucher purchase, registration, or installation of special software is not required . Partner for the first city with WLAN access is MainSurf, the leading local WLAN provider in the Rhine-Main region. Further alliances will be forged step by step.
For T-Online, this market entry means systematic expansion of its present Multi-Access strategy via addition of the WLAN access variant. Planned for T-Online customers by year-end 2003 is convenient access of more than 200 Hotspots. In selecting its partners, T-Online concentrates on a mix of locations: In addition to the hospitality-trade sector, surfing via WLAN with T-Online will also be possible at business hotels and public plazas.
In the future, synergies from cooperation with other Deutsche Telekom divisions will play a special role. The objective is to offer customers fast Internet access via WLAN in the major population centers and beyond.
"With MainSurf GmbH we have won an experienced partner with high technological competence for our market launch," says Thomas Hille, T-Online board member for Marketing and Sales."As a powerful commercial center, Frankfurt offers a virtually ideal environment. And selection of suitable sites is generally a key success factor for WLAN projects."
In the metropolis on the Main, T-Online customers can now surf the Internet at high speed in and around 18 restaurants and cafés. Precisely their locations in the midtown banking and business district are virtually perfect to reach the primary WLAN target groups. The price via WLAN for T-Online customers with dial-in via personal access data is 0.16 euro per online minute. Users also benefit from the customary services. Fees are charged precisely to the minute and conveniently paid via the monthly Deutsche Telekom telephone bill.
"We are delighted about the partnership with T-Online, the acknowledged market leader for Internet access," says Rainer Möhr, Chairman of the Board Innovationsforum AG, the parent company of MainSurf GmbH. "We are convinced that our substantial investments for WLAN coverage of midtown Frankfurt will generate revenue for both parties. Together with T-Online we will further pursue the networking of Frankfurt as WLAN reference model for city projects in Germany. Reactions from customers and Hotspot partners so far are very gratifying and confirm our commitment."
Linkage to the Internet and the technical linkage to T-Online are via the WLAN Hotspots of MainSurf. MainSurf´s aim is to install further Hotspots in Frankfurt. Access to the Internet is easy and convenient. Technical requirements are a WLAN-capable terminal (ideally a notebook). Customers activate the WLAN card and start the browser. Then the MainSurf home page opens as a so-called "Walled Garden" (free-of-charge sector) and the customer dials in with a click on the T-Online button. Authentication is by the customer´s eMail address and password.
In the future, things will become even easier for T-Online customers: WLAN will be integrated as an access option in the StartCenter of T-Online Software 5.0. The objective is to make all access technologies centrally available via software. And it plays no role here whether dial-in is via a WLAN, for example in a café, or at home with a system such as T-Sinus 130 DSL from T-Com.
Surfing with T-Online via WLAN is possible effective immediately at the following Frankfurt spots: Bull and Bear, Café Extrablatt, Café Hauptwache, Café Nescafe, Cantina Mescal City, Cantina Mescal SH, Central Park, Costa Coffee, Euro Deli, Heliu
