Bellevue, Wash. and Carrollton, Texas — Jun. 7, 2006
Sofitel, the prestige brand for Accor hotels, announced today, that they are the newest venue partner to join the T-Mobile HotSpot network. Sofitel joins a growing list of nationally recognized brands offering the T-Mobile HotSpot wireless broadband service. Through this partnership, T-Mobile HotSpot, will provide all of the US-based Sofitel hotel properties with common area and guest room access to the largest carrier-owned, commercial-grade Wi-Fi network in the world, as well as providing customers with industry leading service quality, reliability, customer support and innovative features from a brand known worldwide. As a result of this new partnership, the Sofitel Chicago Water Tower Hotel not only becomes one of the first Sofitel hotels to provide T-Mobile HotSpot service to guests, but also represents the 7,000th deployed T-Mobile HotSpot.
The Sofitel announcement further expands the important role that T-Mobile HotSpot plays within a traveler’s lifestyle. From mornings at Starbucks® to evenings at Sofitel, and with thousands of T-Mobile HotSpot locations in between, customers and guests can weave wireless broadband into the fabric of their everyday lives. Additionally, international travelers using a participating carrier’s Wireless Broadband Alliance Wi-Fi subscription will be able to take advantage of T-Mobile HotSpot service at all 10 US Sofitel properties through comprehensive roaming agreements.
“We feel this partnership will greatly benefit our guests, most of whom are business travelers,” said Craig Cunningham, vice president of marketing of Accor North America. “Being frequently on the road myself, I understand all too well the importance of being connected at all times and knowing that it is a secure connection.”
“Our customers continue to ask for access at comfortable, unique and premier locations throughout the country. With the addition of the luxurious Sofitel properties to the T-Mobile HotSpot network, guests will stay connected to what matters most to them, " said Joe Sims, vice president broadband products and services and general manager, T-Mobile HotSpot. “We believe our partnership will compliment each other’s offerings and add new customers to both businesses.”
Lindsay Morio
T-Mobile USA Media Relations
425-383-4002
About T-Mobile USA, Inc.
Based in Bellevue, Wash., T-Mobile USA, Inc. is the U.S. wireless operation of Deutsche Telekom AG. By the end of the first quarter of 2010, approximately 150 million mobile customers were served by the mobile communication segments of the Deutsche Telekom group - 33.7 million by T-Mobile USA - all via a common technology platform based on GSM and UMTS, the world's most widely used digital wireless standards. T-Mobile USA's innovative wireless products and services help empower people to connect to those who matter most. Multiple independent research studies continue to rank T-Mobile among the highest in numerous regions throughout the U.S. in wireless customer care and call quality. For more information, please visit http://www.T-Mobile.com. T-Mobile is a federally registered trademark of Deutsche Telekom AG.
About Sofitel
Today Sofitel is one the major players in the international upscale hotel market with nearly 200 properties that bring a unique French “art de vivre” to prime locations around the world.
Sofitel is now present in all of the world’s major business cities (Paris, New York, London, Washington, Berlin, Tokyo, Chicago, Bangkok, Shanghai, Manilla,…), all the leading holiday resorts (Mauritius, Morocco, Egypt, the West Indies, Indonesia, Brazil…) and in the world’s key international airports (Paris Charles de Gaulle, London Gatwick, Amsterdam, Chicago, Houston,…).
With 168,000 employees in 140 countries, Accor is the European leader and one of the world's largest groups in travel, tourism and corporate services, with two major international activities:
- Hotels with the Sofitel, Novotel, Mercure, Suitehotel, Ibis, Etap Hotel, Formule 1, Motel 6 and Red Rood Inn brands: over 4,000 hotels and 470,000 rooms in 92 countries, as well as other businesses (restaurants notably Lenôtre, casinos and travel agencies) ;
- Services to corporate clients and public institutions: 21 million people in 35 countries use a broad range of services (food vouchers, people care and services, incentive, loyalty programs) engineered and managed by Accor Services. www.sofitel.com.