Optus and Stamford Hotels and Resorts Australia have formed a strategic partnership to offer guests and visitors access to wireless broadband in the hotels' public areas and business centres. Wireless broadband, or WiFi, provides people with fast, reliable access to the internet and corporate networks without needing to find a plug in the wall.

Mr Allen Lew, Managing Director, Optus Mobile, said securing a deal with the high profile business hotel chain was a coup for Optus.

"The Stamford Hotels and Resorts Group is a perfect partner for Optus Wireless Connect and helps us take wireless internet direct to the business traveller.

"Now hotel guests and visitors with laptops or personal digital assistants (PDAs) will be able to use their own equipment to view and download information from the internet, or their corporate systems.

"Optus Wireless Connect enables business travellers to have access to the internet at a speed similar to that which they enjoy in their office, making the service a valuable tool for the mobile workforce," said Mr Lew.

David Perry, Group Director of Marketing and Sales, Stamford Hotels and Resorts, said providing a wireless broadband network was strategically important for the chain.

"Access to wireless broadband is a logical progression for Stamford Hotels and Resorts as it builds on the other business services we offer our guests and visitors. The chain also has a reputation for corporate conferencing, and increasingly, our customers are asking for sophisticated access to telecommunications services.

"There are nine Stamford Hotels and Resorts in Australia and all will offer Optus Wireless Connect in public areas, business centres and conference rooms.

"Stamford Hotels and Resorts focus on the needs of the corporate traveller and so it was only natural that we partnered with Optus to provide this service - wireless broadband is another point of differentiation for Stamford Hotels," said Mr Perry.

"More and more business is being conducted out of offices as the workforce becomes more mobile. Stamford Hotels now make it possible for people to meet and access information in convenient locations," said Mr Lew.

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