SPOKANE, Wash. and WARWICK, R.I., June 16, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Spokane International Airport (GEG) and Airport Network Solutions (ANS), a subsidiary of ICOA, Inc. (OTCBB:ICOA), announced today the unveiling of a new "Neutral Host" high-speed broadband wireless network throughout the entire airport, serving GEG's nearly 3 million passengers per year as well as airlines and other airport tenants.
The new neutral host high-speed broadband wireless Internet network offers passengers at GEG secure, affordable and convenient wireless Internet access from anywhere in the terminal, and will provide WLAN services for airport administration and operations functions, airlines and airport concessionaires. Service for the first month, through July 16, 2004, will be free.
With the deployment of GEG, ICOA's Airport Network Solutions now serves 20 million airport passengers per year through airport-wide neutral host Wi-Fi networks located in: Greater Baton Rouge Louisiana Airport (BTR), Manchester Airport (MHT), Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV), Fresno-Yosemite International Airport (FYI) and Sacramento International Airport (SMF).
"We are excited to partner with ANS to offer high-speed wireless Internet access for our airline passengers at Spokane International Airport," said John G. Morrison, CEO/Executive Director. "GEG is committed to providing outstanding customer service and cost-effective services which improve productivity, reduce costs and enhance our passenger's travel experience. The addition of public wireless Internet access is a natural extension of this continuing commitment and an exciting new service for our passengers, vendors and tenants."
Following the first free month, passengers with Wi-Fi enabled laptops or PDAs can connect to the Internet to check their e-mail, access their corporate servers, download important documents and surf the Web, with unlimited access from anywhere in the airport for only $6.95 per day. Airport information such as flight schedules, ground transportation information, passenger services and security bulletins can also be accessed at no charge. The new public wireless Internet service is available throughout the entire terminal and does not require users to install or use proprietary software. As a 'neutral host' network, the Spokane International Airport/ANS solution will also allow subscribers of branded services access to the network through access agreements with ANS.
"With the launch of Spokane as our sixth airport, ANS has moved beyond our proof-of-concept stage to become a major airport Wi-Fi network provider," said Rick Schiffmann, CEO of ICOA's ANS subsidiary. "Our airport-wide approach makes it more convenient for passengers to connect instantly in all public areas of the airport rather than having to 'sniff out' limited hotspots and allows the airport authority to cost-effectively offer and manage WLAN services to all tenants."
The new Wi-Fi infrastructure was designed, deployed and managed by ICOA's subsidiary ANS under an exclusive agreement with GEG utilizing 802.11 based equipment provided by local manufacturer Vivato.
About Spokane International Airport (GEG)
Spokane International Airport is a 4,753-acre commercial service airport served by ten airlines and three air cargo carriers. The passenger airlines provide 70 daily departures to 16 major destinations. GEG processed 2.8 million passengers and 54,277 U.S. air cargo tons in 2003. Through April 2004, GEG has handled 908,737 total passengers; an 8.00 percent increase over 2003's 841,407. The airport's year-to-date percentage of increase exceeds the nation's 5.7 percentage of growth for the same time period. GEG is the second largest airport in the State of Washington and recognized by the FAA as a small hub. GEG is jointly owned by Spokane County and the City of Spokane. The city and county operate the airports under provisions of RCW 14.08, which establishes the operation of airports by more than one municipality under joint agreement. GEG's operating authority is the Spokane Airport Board (the Board), consisting of seven appointees from the two governmental bodies. The Board was formed in 1962 and has operated GEG since that time. The airport is operated and maintained solely by revenues derived from rents and fees generated on the facilities. It does not receive appropriated tax dollars from any level of government. The geographic area served by GEG is all of what is known as the Pacific Inland Northwest, including Eastern Washington, Northern Idaho, Western Montana and portions of Southern British Columbia and Alberta. 1.7 million people reside in this market area. For more information, please visit: www.spokaneairports.net
About ICOA, Inc.
ICOA, Inc. (OTCBB:ICOA), located in Warwick, RI, is a provider of neutral host wireless and wired broadband Internet networks in public locations. Airport Network Solutions, a subsidiary of ICOA, Inc., provides design, installation, operations, maintenance and management of neutral, common-use 802.11x standard WLAN (or WiFi) infrastructure throughout airport facilities for use by the traveling public, airlines and airport authority vendors. ICOA also owns and operates private networks of Wi-Fi Hot Spots, Wi-Fi Hot Zones, and High Speed Internet Terminals (WebCenter3000tm)). ICOA currently operates or manages over 330 installations, including 250 Panera Bread locations, the San Francisco International Airport (SFO), Spokane International Airport (GEG), Manchester Airport (MHT), the Greater Baton Rouge, Louisiana Airport (BTR), Sacramento International Airport (SMF), Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV), Fresno-Yosemite International Airport (FYI) and Rhode Island's Newport Harbor 'Hot Zone'. For additional information, please visit www.icoacorp.com.
'Safe Harbor'
The foregoing contains "forward-looking statements" which are based on management's beliefs as well as on a number of assumptions concerning future events and information currently available to management. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which are not a guarantee of performance and are subject to a number of uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside ICOA's control that could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements. For a more detailed description of the factors that could cause such a difference, please see ICOA's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. ICOA disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. This information is presented solely to provide additional information to further understand the results of ICOA.