MANCHESTER, N.H. and WARWICK, R.I., June 10, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Manchester Airport (MHT) 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 designed to serve its more than four 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 Manchester Airport secure, affordable and convenient wireless Internet access from anywhere in the terminal, while also providing airport administration and operations functions, airlines and airport concessionaires with WLAN capability for operational applications and services.
"We are excited to partner with ANS to offer high-speed wireless Internet access for our airline passengers at Manchester Airport," said Airport Director Kevin A. Dillon. "This new WLAN system also provides convenient and efficient wireless solutions for all our airport tenants and creates new opportunities for the airport. Manchester Airport has long been committed to providing outstanding customer service and cost effective services that 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."
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 from anywhere in the airport for only $6.95 per day. Airport information such as flight schedules 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 Manchester Airport/ANS solution will also allow subscribers of branded services access to the network through access agreements with ANS.
"Manchester is the fifth airport to activate our wireless airport solution," said Rick Schiffmann, CEO of ICOA's ANS subsidiary. "While isolated wireless hotspots can be found in some larger airports, the Manchester solution conveniently covers the entire airport. 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. The Manchester Airport/ANS solution improves convenience and productivity for all passengers."
The new Wi-Fi infrastructure was designed, deployed and managed by ICOA's subsidiary ANS under an exclusive agreement with Manchester Airport (MHT). Amherst Technologies of Merrimack, New Hampshire, a leading provider of IT solutions, provided ANS with site design and network deployment.
Manchester Airport is ICOA's fifth full airport neutral host deployment, with previously announced Wi-Fi network operations in the Greater Baton Rouge, Louisiana Airport (BTR), Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV) in Savannah, Georgia, Fresno-Yosemite International Airport (FYI) and Sacramento International Airport (SMF). With the deployment of MHT, ICOA's Airport Network Solutions now serves over 18 million airport passengers per year.
About Manchester Airport (MHT)
Manchester Airport is the largest commercial passenger and cargo airport in northern New England. The rapidly growing airport now welcomes over four million passengers each year and is served by 13 airlines offering over 90 daily departures. Strategically located in the heart of New England, Manchester Airport is just twenty minutes from the Massachusetts border and less than an hour's drive from the region's most popular ski areas, scenic seacoast beaches and peaceful lakefront resorts -- even Boston. Easy access, competitive airfares, ample parking and a growing schedule of non-stop jet service make Manchester Airport the convenient alternative to Boston's Logan International Airport.
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 (WebCenter3000(tm)). ICOA currently operates or manages over 330 installations, including 250 Panera Bread locations, the San Francisco International Airport (SFO), 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.