Esat BT and Conrad Hotel roll out WLAN technology

Esat BT has announced that the Conrad Hotel in Dublin has become the latest service provider to sign-up to its public wireless local area network (WLAN) technology, BT Openzone.

The technology, which is also known as Wi-Fi, allows people on the move to access the internet and to get a secure and fast connection to corporate networks without plugging in to phone lines.

The Conrad Dublin is to roll-out WLAN so as to provide its guests with quick and easy wireless Internet access.

According to Laurens Zieren, (General Manager, Conrad Hotel Dublin), the availability of Wi-Fi in the hotel will give it a competitive edge.

"We have seen a greater demand from our customers, both from Ireland and abroad, and especially among corporate customers, for Wi-Fi. BT Openzone enables us to meet that demand with a high quality, convenient service that will deliver real benefits to our guests".

"Esat BT unveiled its first wireless hotspot in Dun Laoghaire Harbour a year ago and this latest deal brings to over 85 the number of 'live' BT Openzone sites on the island of Ireland signed up over the past 12 months," he said.

According to Convery, the high level of deployments is being driven by strong demand for wireless broadband across a variety of sectors, especially retail and hospitality.

Esat BT is a wholly owned subsidiary of BT Group plc and a fully integrated part of BT's international broadband network business, focused primarily on providing services and solutions to multi-site corporates.

Esat BT also operates in the residential and internet portal markets, and employs over 900 staff.

The company is headquartered in Dublin with offices in Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford.