New Edge wins major hotel access contract

New Edge Networks has landed a major contract to supply high-speed Internet connections to hotel chains across the U.S. through LodgeNet Entertainment Corp., the world’s largest provider of interactive television services to the hotel industry.

LodgeNet serves more than 950,000 rooms at about 5700 hotel properties in the U.S., many to which New Edge will provide Synchronous DSL, T-1 and higher capacity connections. New Edge said the primary reason LodgeNet selected the carrier is its access footprint in numerous small and medium markets. New Edge serves 320 Tier II, III, and IV markets in 29 states, providing DSL in central offices where no other DSLAMs reside. And with New Edge’s purchase of the bankrupt Excite@Home’s @Work infrastructure, New Edge can also provide cheap Internet connectivity through T-1 and fiber links in 31 Tier I markets, a New Edge spokesman said.

“Broadband Internet access has become something people have come to expect in hotels and not just hotels in major markets,” the spokesman said. “We have a compelling footprint for coverage in those small and medium cities.”

LodgeNet will use the broadband links--either DSL, ATM or Frame Relay--to give guests Internet access as well as offer Interactive and Internet TV services. LodgeNet’s hotel customers include chains such as Best Western, Embassy Suites, Fairmont, Hampton Inn, Harrah’s, Hilton, Holiday Inn, Inter-Continental, La Quinta, Omni, Radisson, Ritz-Carlton, Sheraton, W Hotels, Westin and Wingate Inns.