News

Vendors add cash-pay option to kiosks offering Wi-Fi access

August 26, 2004

SACRAMENTO, Calif. and TOLEDO, Ohio -- WebRaiser Technologies Inc. and Airpath Wireless Inc. announced the introduction of a cash-payment option for Wi-Fi hot spot access through self-service kiosks.

WebRaiser will debut the integrated technology at The Kiosk Show in Long Beach, Calif., Sept. 17-18. WebRaiser will begin shipping the solution under the name VendiAccess as a component of its VendiNet series of digital vending kiosks in September 2003.

With the Airpath/WebRaiser Wi-Fi-enabled kiosk solution, users can now walk up to a public access kiosk, insert cash and receive instant wireless Internet access for laptops and PDAs without signing up for accounts or providing credit information, according to a news release.

"This news will come as a relief to millions of travelers and business professionals who desire Wi-Fi access, but cringe at the thought of signing up for another monthly Internet service account to satisfy an occasional need," said WebRaiser President Dave Gonsiorowski.

Wi-Fi access points and self-service kiosks are two fast-growing technologies riding consumer demand for public Internet access. Tele Analytics predicted that the number of hot spots will reach 580,000 access points in North America by 2007, up from an estimated 90,000 by year-end 2003. Summit Research predicts kiosks will grow to 266,000 installed units in North America by 2005.

Said Airpath President Tim Barrett, "We recognize that many first-time users and users with only an occasional need may forego usage because of the account-activation process and requirements to provide credit card information. The ability to pay with cash will expand the Wi-Fi appeal and be a major factor in fueling the growth of hot spot usage."

Wi-Fi hot spots and kiosks are a logical marriage, the release said. Together, they provide access points for the equipped and non-equipped user through a shared broadband connection. Consumers with laptops and Internet-enabled PDAs can connect to the Internet wirelessly and those without a device can use the PC and monitor on the kiosk to gain access.

Wi-Fi access has traditionally relied on Web pages to sign customers up for accounts or to let them type in credit card information to gain access. Kiosks are traditionally equipped to handle multiple forms of payment including credit card, cash and coins in some parts of the world.

The Wi-Fi cash acceptance system is based on Airpath's WiBOSS hot spot management system and WebRaiser's Total Self-Service Enterprise platform.