CAIS Internet Monday made an acquisition targeting Internet users who are always on the go.
The Washington, D.C.-based broadband company bought out kiosk network
operator QuickATM, an Internet
access kiosk network operator.
The deal procures QuickATM’s network of 165 QuickAid Internet access kiosks in 11
major metropolitan airports and 10 train stations nationwide. The
acquisition enhances CAIS’s ability to integrate its traveler access
services with a major kiosk-based expansion into additional public markets.
Ulysses G. Auger II, CAIS (CAIS)
chief executive officer, the move enhances its ability to deliver
broadband Internet solutions and business applications to travelers.
“With this acquisition, CAIS expands its position to not only meet the
significant demand of existing customers for kiosk and portal services in
lobbies or other public areas,” Auger said, “but proceeds with increased
capacity to penetrate new broadband markets with the CAIS brand.”
According to Summit Research,
Inc., the Internet kiosk market is expected to grow more than 80 percent in
the U.S. annually over the next three years to nearly 100,000 units
installed by 2002. The independent research firm further projects that
international market growth will be even more dramatic, reaching over
250,000 installed kiosks by 2002.
QuickATM is one of the oldest operators of public access Internet kiosks in
the U.S. In addition to and operating its own kiosk network, QuickATM
designs and builds custom kiosks served with proprietary kiosk software
applications.
CAIS Internet intends to merge QuickATM’s kiosk business into its CAIS Software Solutions subsidiary, which markets IPORT public access software and central
management services.
Steve Nye, CAIS Software Solutions president, said the deal underscores its
commitment to provide high-speed ubiquitous Internet access services to its
target markets.
“By developing a large, national kiosk network CAIS is positioned to
provide integrated solutions, drive rapid growth in kiosk deployment and
acceptance, and be one of the first to provide a platform for growing
public access products and services,” Nye said.
CAIS Internet has master agreements to target its broadband services to
more than 10,000 properties nationwide including meeting room for major
hotels and access solutions to more than 1.3 million guest rooms and
apartments.
