Wireless Providers' Iron Is Hot - 2001-01-15

By Annalise Bomennlit / January 14, 2001

Wireless Providers' Iron Is Hot

By Annalise Bomenblit

It has been a busy few months for wireless providers, with companies quickly introducing new features for travelers. Though many agree that the technology is still clunky and in its infancy, the premium placed upon the business traveler and his likelier use of wireless is pressing companies toward readiness.

Washington-based Action Engine on Nov. 1 announced it had chosen Maritz Travel Co. as its primary travel fulfillment and reservation partner. Maritz's eCom Solution is integrated into the E-sistant travel application, which is scheduled to debut this year, thus enabling users to book domestic and international travel using most wireless Internet devices.

In December, two companies responded to the call for personalized, real-time travel changes and notifications. Scottsdale, Ariz.-based I-tinerary Travel Solutions introduced a new wireless and Web-based product that works as a real-time electronic Travel Assistant. Using Sabre's booking engine in the United States and Amadeus in Europe, the assistant produces and arranges first or alternate travel plans based on such preprogrammed traveler preferences as price, time constraints, preferred airline or last-minute itinerary changes. The Travel Assistant will come as part of the package with the newest Palm Pilot and with the wireless Internet kit for Palm Pilots 3 and 5. The service also is compatible with Outlook's calendar, wherein travelers can forward long-distance and receive travel options based on preferences.

AT&T's Digital PocketNet service, which offers subscriber access through Internet-ready cell phones, announced in December that it had added six new participating partners. Alaska, Delta and United airlines joined Northwest in serving users. Travelers can book or change flight reservations, access frequent flyer accounts and receive real-time flight information from any of these airlines. Other new PocketNet partners are Biztravel.com, Qsent (which will provide its transportation reservation service iQtaxi and its radio station directory iQradio) and travel planning site Trip.com. AOL Moviefone, CityConnect, Expedia.com, MapQuest, Traffic Station, Travelocity.com, Weather.com, Zagat.com and 10Best, which offers the "best" of local entertainment and events, already were in the fold.

Georgia-based Synchrologic on Dec. 11 announced it added new features to its iMobile Suite product for business professionals, allowing them to sync data between their Palm devices and Microsoft Exchange or Lotus Notes servers. Their iMobile Suite RealSync Server also is being upgraded to enable users to sync their e-mail and personal information management data (including address book, calendar, memos and to-do lists) between their Palm devices and their company's Microsoft Exchange or Lotus Notes.

Also in the first half of December, Illinois-based Galileo Wireless, first introduced in June, announced an expansion of its cell phone and PDA capabilities. The wireless application now offers personalized flight information, automatic weather notification and the option to view and modify seat assignments. The application also now allows the corporate sponsor or travel agency to control options for rebooking flights by class, booking code and carrier. The free and downloadable service includes immediate notification of trip delays or flight cancellations, as well as immediate alternatives pre-selected based on travelers' preferences. Travelers have purchasing and canceling capabilities from a PC or PDA for air, car and hotel. The application also offers a travel banking program that reclaims unused tickets, storing their value if reusable or completely refunding their value. This service is launching in the first quarter of 2001.

Mobile business king Galileo International on Dec. 19 announced that its wireless application now is available on BlackBerry wireless handhelds, which already manage e-mail on the road. Travelers using the BlackBerry handhelds with GoAmerica's Go Web browser can access personalized travel itineraries, modify or change seat assignments and flight reservations and receive notification of flight status.

Airlines, too, have made a flurry of announcements regarding wireless advances for their customers. Alaska Airlines, which introduced Web checkin in September 1999, on Jan. 5 announced that it now offers mobile access to flight status, flight schedules and mileage plan account activity reports. The new service uses a mobile platform from Everypath. Expressing his belief that wireless access to the Web soon will surpass wired access, Alaska's vice president of e-commerce Steve Jarvis said this new service is the start of a major push into wireless.

Meanwhile, US Airways director of e-commerce Theresa Fox said the airline is about to begin beta testing for flight notifications through wireless devices and cell phones. The service would provide flight status and offer such options as re-accommodation. She anticipates an expanded rollout sometime in the year's second quarter. In the long term, said Fox, "we are looking at wireless checkin, since many business travelers would prefer to bypass even the checkin kiosks. That would happen well into 2001."

United Airlines in November announced the introduction of wireless booking and ticketing for its customers, and officials said plans are in the works for expanding its wireless capabilities to make changes to already-booked flights. The wireless booking tool, part of United Update, a suite of applications designed for travelers using wireless devices, can be accessed through any Wireless Application Protocol-enabled phone. It enables travelers registered at united.com to purchase an e-ticket for any United, United Shuttle or United Express flight for travel originating in the United States.

Northwest Airlines on Nov. 20 announced it would be the first airline displayed on partner AvantGo Inc.'s travel channel. AvantGo provides real-time access to flight and gate status. Travelers also can access frequent flyer membership information, travel reservations as well as current weather conditions through AvantGo's Travel channel.

SAS introduced the possibility of becoming the first airline to use Bluetooth technology to send flight information directly to traveler's mobile phones. Bluetooth, a radio frequency wireless networking technology that has been getting much attention, has been in development by corporate members of the Bluetooth Special Interest Group. Ericsson Inc., one of these members, would work with SAS on this project. Focus testing of the new service will take place at Arlanda Airport in Stockholm, Sweden, for one month.

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