x34 Posted August 11, 2002 Share Posted August 11, 2002 It looks like this will be tested in Austin first, but it does mention that they plan to roll it out nationwide... Free wireless at Schlotzsky's Sandwich chain begins offering Web access outside its restaurants with rooftop antennas By Lori Hawkins AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF Thursday, August 8, 2002 Funny name, free wireless? Schlotzsky's Inc. has begun offering free wireless Internet access at most Austin restaurants, and it is installing rooftop antennas so folks blocks away can log on for free. A growing number of hotels and coffeehouses offer wireless connections to customers, but the Austin-based sandwich chain is taking it a step further by offering the service outside its restaurants. "We thought it would be neat to be at the hike-and-bike trail and get on your laptop wirelessly at no charge," Chief Executive Officer John Wooley said. Schlotzsky's is hoping the 4-foot antennas will provide Internet access to laptop users up to a mile from its restaurants. At some locations, the hope is to provide free access up to four miles away. Schlotzsky's expects to wire 10 of its Austin restaurants in the next week. Eventually the company hopes to roll out the service at its 650 stores nationally. So what's in it for Schlotzsky's? A little advertising -- when users log on, a Schlotzsky's Web page pops up -- and the chance to endear itself to Austin techies. "We're hoping people who like the idea will come in and buy a few sandwiches," Wooley said. Schlotzsky's earned $600,000 on sales of $15.2 million in the quarter that ended in March, compared with a net profit of $600,000 on revenue of $15.3 million during the same quarter in 2001. Its sales have been flat over the past four quarters. The wireless system is built around technology known as Wi-Fi, which stands for wireless fidelity. Currently, Wi-Fi primarily provides broadband Internet access to specially equipped laptops within a few hundred feet of a Wi-Fi base station or transmitter. These create what are known as "hot spots" in restaurants, airport lounges and offices. The beauty of Wi-Fi is that it is cheap and easy to install. Schlotzsky's will spend about $4,000 to get each restaurant up and running, plus about $800 a month per restaurant for T1, the high-speed telephone-based communications line that links the wireless access network to the Internet. Accessing Wi-Fi requires a special plug-in circuit card. Most high-end laptops now come with them, or they can be purchased for $40 to $75. Schlotzsky's wireless offering, called Cool Cloud, is an extension of the free Internet access it began providing in most Austin stores a year ago. That service offers PCs and iMacs with Internet access. Wooley's next goal is to expand the free access to schools, libraries and community centers. He would like to start with a wireless network at Huston-Tillotson College, which could provide wireless connections to nearby Blackshear Elementary School. "If we're going to do this, we should have a community purpose as well," Wooley said. "We want to go to locations on the other side of the Digital Divide." lhawkins@statesman.com; 912-5955 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hypercube Posted August 11, 2002 Share Posted August 11, 2002 Lets not hope some user uses it to download illegal content and have them held responsible. Nice how the trend is holding up :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iCe_2x Posted August 11, 2002 Share Posted August 11, 2002 Yea..lol.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sailgreg Posted August 14, 2002 Share Posted August 14, 2002 That will be nice, I wish I lived near one :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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