Primus Telecom and Azure Wireless unwire Melbourne
Announcement posted by Azure Wireless 19 Sep 2002
* iPrimus customers to benefit from wireless Internet access
* Azure Wireless services now in more than 50 venues in Melbourne
* Hudson Conway commits $50 million in venture capital
* Azure Wireless services now in more than 50 venues in Melbourne
* Hudson Conway commits $50 million in venture capital
Azure Wireless, the leading Australian provider of wireless Internet access, today announced a strategic partnership with Primus Telecom, one of Australia's leading telecommunications carriers. Through Primus Telecom's Internet Service Provider, iPrimus, subscribers will now be able to access their Internet accounts via a high-speed wireless broadband service at more than 50 Azure Wireless Locations.
The Hotspots currently include coverage throughout Melbourne's landmark venues and locations such as AMP's Bourke Place and Collins Place, The Windsor Hotel, and many prestigious cafes in the St Kilda Road and Melbourne's CBD areas. Azure Wireless has also established a Hotzone, which takes in several major businesses, hotels, restaurants and coffeehouses surrounding the Primus Headquarters at the intersection of King and Collins Streets.
According to David Gold, CEO of Azure Wireless, with the Network going live on the 1st October 2002, the company is set to provide the largest number of wireless hotspots based on 802.11 technology in Australia. Situated in hotels, conference venues and public meeting areas, the Hotspots will provide users with wireless Internet access from a rapidly increasing number of locations.
"This is a significant deal with iPrimus and the major value lies in being able to offer wireless Internet access to its broad subscriber base and using the extensive Primus infrastructure to provide core hosting and DSL services necessary to support the service. Our Hotspots provide a real value-add service to the customers of ISPs and venue owners," commented David Gold.
iPrimus' General Manager, Campbell Sallabank said: "In a very competitive marketplace and in line with our strategy of enhancing our existing offering to customers, iPrimus is always looking to expand its services. Azure Wireless provided us with a natural extension to our services that will excite customers.We are also pleased about providing the back-end infrastructure for the project".
As a result of $50 million in venture capital by Lloyd Williams' Hudson Conway, Azure Wireless is the best funded wireless player in the local market. Azure Wireless is set to become the country's leading provider of wireless technology, by offering wholesale wireless Internet access to ISPs, from strategic venues and major locations.
In addition to Azure Wireless, iPrimus' extensive range of leading quality Internet products and services incorporates prepaid Internet access kit, global Internet roaming and domain registration services.
Azure Wireless arrives at a time when, according to IDC, demand for wireless Internet is set to grow 95.1% by 2006. The suite of services is designed to meet the growing demands on ISPs and venues, whilst simultaneously providing competitive advantage and the latest in emerging mobile communications.
Established in Janaury 2001, Azure Wireless utilises the 802.11 compliant wireless technologies and will become the major infrastructure owner of the wireless Internet market in Australia as it rolls out its services nationally.
About Azure Wireless:
Azure Wireless is a privately owned company headquartered in Melbourne. It is the leading provider of the latest wireless technology 802.11 or "WiFi" and operates a network to provide high-speed wireless access to the Internet and corporate networks from a rapidly growing number of public venues.
Further information on Azure Wireless is available at www.azure.com.au
About Primus Telecom
Primus Telecom is Australia's fourth largest fixed-line telecommunications carrier with approximately 850,000 retail customers including over 400,000 Internet customers. The Company offers a comprehensive range of voice, data, Internet and web hosting products, servicing both residential and business sectors. The Primus network offers nationwide coverage, using it's own backbone network with facilities in 73 cities across Australia. This provides nationwide long distance competition, and local call Internet access to 97% of the population. Primus operates its own fibre network in the five major capital cities, delivering a range of business direct-connect services including ISDN, ATM and Broadband DSL. Capital investment in the network exceeds A$300 million. Global connectivity is provided through an extensive voice, IP and ATM network operated by the parent company, Virginia-based Primus Telecommunications Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: PRTL). In a recent survey, Primus was recognised as the fifth largest carrier of international minutes in the world. Primus Australia news and information is available at the Company's Web site at www.primustel.com.au <http://www.primustel.com.au>
The Hotspots currently include coverage throughout Melbourne's landmark venues and locations such as AMP's Bourke Place and Collins Place, The Windsor Hotel, and many prestigious cafes in the St Kilda Road and Melbourne's CBD areas. Azure Wireless has also established a Hotzone, which takes in several major businesses, hotels, restaurants and coffeehouses surrounding the Primus Headquarters at the intersection of King and Collins Streets.
According to David Gold, CEO of Azure Wireless, with the Network going live on the 1st October 2002, the company is set to provide the largest number of wireless hotspots based on 802.11 technology in Australia. Situated in hotels, conference venues and public meeting areas, the Hotspots will provide users with wireless Internet access from a rapidly increasing number of locations.
"This is a significant deal with iPrimus and the major value lies in being able to offer wireless Internet access to its broad subscriber base and using the extensive Primus infrastructure to provide core hosting and DSL services necessary to support the service. Our Hotspots provide a real value-add service to the customers of ISPs and venue owners," commented David Gold.
iPrimus' General Manager, Campbell Sallabank said: "In a very competitive marketplace and in line with our strategy of enhancing our existing offering to customers, iPrimus is always looking to expand its services. Azure Wireless provided us with a natural extension to our services that will excite customers.We are also pleased about providing the back-end infrastructure for the project".
As a result of $50 million in venture capital by Lloyd Williams' Hudson Conway, Azure Wireless is the best funded wireless player in the local market. Azure Wireless is set to become the country's leading provider of wireless technology, by offering wholesale wireless Internet access to ISPs, from strategic venues and major locations.
In addition to Azure Wireless, iPrimus' extensive range of leading quality Internet products and services incorporates prepaid Internet access kit, global Internet roaming and domain registration services.
Azure Wireless arrives at a time when, according to IDC, demand for wireless Internet is set to grow 95.1% by 2006. The suite of services is designed to meet the growing demands on ISPs and venues, whilst simultaneously providing competitive advantage and the latest in emerging mobile communications.
Established in Janaury 2001, Azure Wireless utilises the 802.11 compliant wireless technologies and will become the major infrastructure owner of the wireless Internet market in Australia as it rolls out its services nationally.
About Azure Wireless:
Azure Wireless is a privately owned company headquartered in Melbourne. It is the leading provider of the latest wireless technology 802.11 or "WiFi" and operates a network to provide high-speed wireless access to the Internet and corporate networks from a rapidly growing number of public venues.
Further information on Azure Wireless is available at www.azure.com.au
About Primus Telecom
Primus Telecom is Australia's fourth largest fixed-line telecommunications carrier with approximately 850,000 retail customers including over 400,000 Internet customers. The Company offers a comprehensive range of voice, data, Internet and web hosting products, servicing both residential and business sectors. The Primus network offers nationwide coverage, using it's own backbone network with facilities in 73 cities across Australia. This provides nationwide long distance competition, and local call Internet access to 97% of the population. Primus operates its own fibre network in the five major capital cities, delivering a range of business direct-connect services including ISDN, ATM and Broadband DSL. Capital investment in the network exceeds A$300 million. Global connectivity is provided through an extensive voice, IP and ATM network operated by the parent company, Virginia-based Primus Telecommunications Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: PRTL). In a recent survey, Primus was recognised as the fifth largest carrier of international minutes in the world. Primus Australia news and information is available at the Company's Web site at www.primustel.com.au <http://www.primustel.com.au>