DC Access Brings Wi-Fi to Multi-Tenant Units on Capitol Hill [January 12, 2004]

WASHINGTON, Jan 12, 2004 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- DC Access, a leading Washington, DC-based ISP, announced today it has successfully deployed Wi-Fi antennas on several multi-tenant units (MTUs) on Capitol Hill. With the objectives of expanding its footprint and signing on new subscribers for its wireless Internet offering, DC Access is partnering with local property managers and owners of residential and commercial MTUs.

DC Access is currently in discussions with several property management companies and has secured two alliances, including one with Evolve, LLC. Under the agreement, Evolve will provide strategic rooftop and internal space in various multi-family properties throughout the area, allowing DC Access to increase the coverage area of its wireless Internet offering. In exchange, Evolve's residents are eligible to subscribe to DC Access' Wi-Fi service at a discounted price.

Until recently, property managers, who are interested in offering high-speed Internet access to their residents had limited options with the most common being DSL (Cable is available in limited areas on Capitol Hill.). In addition to the slow response time from customer service and technical support staff, DSL outages are common as it relies on the public telephone infrastructure, which is almost 100 years old in the District.

DC Access is actively seeking partners in the real estate development community, who are interested in deploying Wi-Fi at their multi-tenant residential or commercial buildings. "Demand from tenants for high-speed Internet access has dramatically increased over the last couple years and will continue to do so. High-speed Internet is no longer viewed as an amenity, but a requirement," said Matt Wade, president of DC Access. "Evolve is one of the first property management companies to recognize the need for and benefits of Wi-Fi. We expect others to follow Evolve's lead in evaluating DC Access' Wi-Fi offering as an effective tool to attract new tenants and create new revenue streams."

"Wi-Fi is a superb example of technology that can greatly enhance the quality of life for our residents," said Christopher Swanson of Evolve, LLC. "Evolve prides itself on being an early adopter of technological advances like Wi-Fi because it serves to further differentiate our apartment amenities from the rest of the rental market."

DC Access' high-speed Internet offering leverages Wi-Fi, short for wireless fidelity, which eliminates the "last mile" connection problems usually associated with landline services. Known as "outdoor Wi-Fi," DC Access uses high-powered antennas to broadcast wireless Internet connections directly to customers' homes and businesses. Customers receive the benefits of high-speed broadband without having to order a physical connection from a large telecommunications provider. With speeds up to 800kbps, DC Access' Wi-Fi offering is 16 times faster than dial-up and more than double that of residential DSL.

To help facilitate the adoption of Wi-Fi and spread the word about the new offering, DC Access is hosting a series of workshops called "Wi-Fi Days." DC Access' Wi-Fi Days are designed to show residents the immediate benefits of Wireless Internet as well as provide a forum for them to ask questions and sign up for the service. The following are the first scheduled events:

-- Wednesday, January 14 -- 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. @ The Barbara of
Capitol Hill (821 Maryland Avenue NE)

-- Thursday, January 15 -- 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. @ The Marday (815
Maryland Avenue NE)

ABOUT DC ACCESS

Founded in 1999, DC Access is a leading Internet Service Provider (ISP), offering Internet Access, web hosting and network consulting. DC Access has earned a reputation for offering reliable, affordable and personal service to its customers. Privately held, DC Access is headquartered on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. For more information on DC Access, please visit http://www.dcaccess.net/.

ABOUT EVOLVE

Evolve, LLC is a leading property development and property management company in Washington, DC. The company purchases vacant, mis-managed and underutilized properties for the purpose of restoration and adaptive re-use and then offers superior residential and commercial leasing opportunities for its customers. Evolve also provides several management options to help other property owners manage their investment properties. For more information, please visit www.evolveLLC.com.

SOURCE: DC Access

mTell group
(Press contact)
Kristin A. Martell, 703/351-0299
703/407-8349 (M)
pr@dcaccess.net