BT Openzone to Enhance Internet Services Across Hilton Worldwide’s UK and Ireland Hotels

LONDON, June 30, 2011 -

BT Openzone has entered into a strategic agreement with Hilton
Worldwide to provide a fully-managed suite of Wi-Fi and Internet
services across hotels in the U.K. and Ireland.  The new
technology will provide a tenfold increase in bandwidth and an even
more consistent, high-quality online experience for guests at
nearly 100 Hilton Worldwide properties beginning in Autumn
2011.

This agreement provides guests with BT Openzone Wi-Fi access, href="business.bt.com/broadband-and-internet/internet-access/broadband/advance/">
high-speed broadband, conference and event services in more
than 17,000 bedrooms, public areas and meeting and conference
spaces, including 24-hour customer support.  The new Wi-Fi
service will be available free of charge to all Gold and Diamond
Hilton HHonors members and over five million BT Total broadband
customers.  BT Openzone users and customers from iPass,
AT&T and other BT Openzone roaming partners can also use the href="business.bt.com/broadband-and-internet/internet-access/fibre-broadband/">
super-fast broadband when visiting the hotels.  

“We are committed to providing our guests with access to the
very latest technology, complementing our world class hospitality,
and are delighted to collaborate with BT Openzone to deliver an
outstanding service in the U.K. and Ireland,” said Robert Webb,
Chief Information Officer, Hilton Worldwide. “This deal builds on
last year’s agreement with AT&T in the United States and Canada
as we look to partner with the very best technology providers
around the world.”

Chris Bruce, CEO, BT Openzone, said: “The growing number of
travellers with mobile devices such as tablet computers and
smartphones, means guests increasingly expect to be able to log on
wherever they are and with a fast and reliable connection.  BT
currently has 2.8 million Wi-Fi hotspots across the U.K. and
Ireland.  By expanding our coverage at Hilton Worldwide’s
portfolio of hotels, we are demonstrating our commitment in
providing leading edge technology services to partners in a very
demanding service environment.”

BT Openzone will use an ‘above property’, centralised cloud
computing architecture, and will oversee network operations, guest
Internet support, network engineering, software development and
24/7 network monitoring for Hilton Worldwide’s href="business.bt.com/broadband-and-internet/internet-access/wi-fi-for-business/">
business Wi-Fi and Internet services.  

Hilton Worldwide’s portfolio of six brands in the U.K. and
Ireland includes Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad
Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Hotels and Resorts, Doubletree by
Hilton, Hilton Garden Inn and Hampton by Hilton.

About Hilton Worldwide

Hilton Worldwide is the leading global hospitality company,
spanning the lodging sector from luxurious full-service hotels and
resorts to extended-stay suites and mid-priced hotels. For 92
years, Hilton Worldwide has been offering business and leisure
travelers the finest in accommodations, service, amenities and
value. The company is dedicated to continuing its tradition of
providing exceptional guest experiences across its global
brands.  Its brands are comprised of more than 3,750 hotels
and 615,000 rooms in 84 countries and include Waldorf Astoria
Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Hotels
& Resorts, DoubleTree by Hilton, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hilton
Garden Inn, Hampton Hotels, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites
by Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations. The company also manages the
world-class guest reward program Hilton HHonors. 

About BT

BT is one of the world’s leading providers of communications
solutions and services, operating in more than 170 countries. 
Its principal activities include the provision of networked IT
services globally; local, national and international
telecommunications services to customers for use at home, at work
and on the move; href="business.bt.com/broadband-and-internet/internet-access/broadband/advance/">
business broadband and href="business.bt.com/broadband-and-internet/internet-access/">
business internet services and products and converged
fixed/mobile products and services.  BT consists principally
of four lines of business: BT Global Services, Openreach, BT Retail
and BT Wholesale.

In the year ended 31 March 2011, BT Group’s revenue was £20,076
million with profit before taxation of £1,717 million.

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

Kina Kara        
BT Openzone
BT Centre
81 Newgate Street
London
EC1A 7AJ
+44(0)20-7356-5369
business.bt.com

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