Thistle Hotels and BT Openzone partner to offer largest hotel Wi-Fi access

Thistle Hotels Ltd. and BT have joined forces to offer high speed wireless internet access throughout all areas of both Thistle Hotels and Guoman Hotels. Thistle Hotels will become the largest full service hotel chain in the UK and Ireland to offer BT Openzone wireless broadband connectivity across all areas of its hotels, including in each bedroom, throughout public areas and in the meeting and events facilities.

Guests will now be able to benefit from a convenient, flexible and reliable high speed wireless internet access from award winning Wi-Fi provider, BT Openzone.

"We are confident that this partnership will offer our customers the ultimate in hotel Wi-Fi service. Our wireless broadband services will provide fast, easy to use access for guests using the hotels for leisure, business or simply enjoying a drink in the lounge. Now that wireless access is available throughout the hotel, meeting and events clients can stay constantly connected throughout their stay," explained Stuart Leven, Sales and Marketing Director, Thistle Hotels.

Chris Bruce, General Manager, BT Openzone, said: "Research shows that, for the business traveller, flexible, fast and reliable Wi-Fi access is a pre-requisite when choosing a hotel. We are delighted to partner with Thistle Hotels to provide this service, not only in the bedrooms, conference facilities and public areas, but throughout every hotel. Working with the highest quality partners in this way will ensure we achieve our mobility vision: to ensure our customers are best connected and have seamless access to the most efficient networks, using the device of their choice, wherever they are, whether they are meeting for business or leisure purposes, a hotel guest or a conference attendee."

As a subscriber to BT Openzone, customers not only have access to the Thistle Hotel estate, but they can also experience the benefits of wireless broadband at over 10,000 hotspots across the UK and Ireland. This number has recently been boosted by BT’s delivery of 12 Wireless Cities in the UK, from Newcastle to Birmingham to Westminster.

In addition, through roaming agreements with Wi-Fi providers across the globe, visitors to Thistle Hotels from US, Europe and Asia with Wi-Fi subscriptions will also be able to use their Wi-Fi minutes across the BT Openzone network.

A recent poll of site partners has shown that 87% of BT Openzone site partners believe the provision of Wi-Fi gives their customers another good reason to come to their business instead of a competitor. Furthermore, almost three quarters (71%) thought that their customers spent more time in their business when using the BT Openzone service, thus driving room occupancy and possibly even conferences to BT Openzone site partners.

Currently 15 of the Thistle Hotels and Guoman Hotels offer the service across the UK, with plans to roll out to all hotels throughout 2007.

Thistle Hotels

Thistle Hotels offers 47 hotels in key locations throughout the UK, with 16 in central London alone, and each hotel has its own individual character. We have over 8,600 bedrooms, a selection of great restaurants, a consistently high standard of both service and surroundings and many hotels offering excellent health and leisure facilities. With 350 meeting/function rooms to choose from Thistle Hotels can cater for every meeting, event or function, from a small intimate meeting, to weddings, large-scale conferences or gala dinners.

With hotels situated in key cities throughout England, Scotland and Wales, and as London’s largest hotelier with over 4,000 bedrooms in the capital, we are able to accommodate all your needs throughout the UK.

Thistle Hotels where BT Openzone is currently live include: Guoman Tower, Euston, Kensington Gardens, Westminster, Charring Cross, Victoria, Heathrow, City Barbican, Royal Horse guards, Marble Arch, Bloomsbury, Hyde Park, Piccadilly, Edinburgh, and Trafalgar.

Further information about Thistle Hotels is available on the website, www.thistlehotels.com.

Guoman Hotels

Superbly located in the heart of London, The Cumberland and The Tower represent the very best of both worlds.

With stunning views over Tower Bridge, the Thames and St. Katharine’s Dock, The Tower offers luxurious comfort and excellent service. Adjacent to the City of London, and with excellent transport links to Canary Wharf, Docklands, and the rest of Central London, The Tower offers over 800 bedrooms, suites and apartments, plus 19 self-contained and fully-equipped meeting rooms.

Or enjoy the striking modernity of The Cumberland, with its art-filled lobby, designer bedrooms, and superb dining in Gary Rhodes’ brasserie, Rhodes W1. Located at the top of Park Lane and with great access to the shops of Oxford Street, The Cumberland offers over 1000 contemporary designer bedrooms, a variety of mini-suites and apartments, plus 26 flexible, multifunctional, air-conditioned meeting rooms.

For more information please visit www.guoman.com.

For more information:
Inquiries about this news release should be made to the BT Group Newsroom on its 24-hour number: 020 7356 5369. From outside the UK dial + 44 20 7356 5369. All news releases can be accessed at our web site: http://www.bt.com/newscentre.

About BT

BT is one of the world’s leading providers of communications solutions and services operating in 170 countries. Its principal activities include networked IT services, local, national and international telecommunications services, and higher-value broadband and internet products and services. BT consists principally of four lines of business: BT Global Services, Openreach, BT Retail and BT Wholesale.

In the year ended March 31, 2006, BT Group plc’s revenue was £19,514 million with profit before taxation of £2,040 million.

British Telecommunications plc (BT) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BT Group and encompasses virtually all businesses and assets of the BT Group. BT Group plc is listed on stock exchanges in London and New York.

For more information, visit www.bt.com/aboutbt

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