Dublin, Ireland, 24 January 2008 - free-hotspot.com, the world’s largest provider of free Wi-Fi HotSpots, announces today the launch of their new interactive user messaging solution for wireless networks. Called the EDGE Messaging Platform, the new system allows HotSpot owners such as hotels and restaurants as well as other wireless network operators to serve rich media content directly to their users. EDGE Messaging can be used to build brands, promote products and services, poll customers or monetize a network through third party advertising revenue.

The system delivers content to users at the point of access, or “edge” of the network, where messages can be highly controlled and targeted. Wireless network operators can now connect and interact with their users in ways that go beyond what has previously been available.

Joe Brunoli, Vice President of Business Development for free-hotspot.com, outlined some practical EDGE applications: "Hotel, restaurant and other chains have loyalty programmes they wish to promote or brands they wish to support," he said. "By using the EDGE system to communicate "in-house" over their own Wi-Fi networks, chains can surround their customers with their own brand identity or marketing message in a way that creates good will and a positive brand association with the user."

Existing HotSpot, Municipal or Metro Wi-Fi networks can also benefit from the EDGE system, according to Brunoli: "when used as an ad-serving system, the EDGE system can quickly and easily create an additional revenue stream for any network," he explained. "Users actually enjoy the high quality of the media that we serve, which in turn leads to higher ad revenues and an increased ARPU [average revenue per user] for the network operator."

About free-hotspot.com:
free-hotspot.com operates the world’s largest free wireless network with 2400 FREE HotSpot locations in 18 countries throughout Europe. To gain access to free-hotspot.com’s free wireless Internet service, users agree to watch an introductory Sponsor advertisement. This innovative system, which has won the prestigious Wireless Broadband Innovation Award for Best Public Wi-Fi Product, is made available under the EDGE Messaging brand name to wireless network operators as well as hospitality chains and other organisations that wish to increase revenue, promote strategic marketing programmes or build brand presence over their own Wi-Fi networks.

free-hotspot.com supports an active user community and provides free wireless Internet service to around 300,000 people each month. The company also operates the industry’s most comprehensive directory of free HotSpots which currently lists more than 20,000 free wireless Internet locations worldwide.

Press contacts:

free-hotspot.com
Emma Keenan / Johanna Toiviainen
Open2Europe
Phone: +33 1 55 02 14 59 / 58
e-mail: e.keenan@open2europe.com or j.toiviainen@open2europe.com