Blackwire to offer Wi-Fi in Starwood and IHG cars

In-car Wi-Fi supplier Blackwire ME’s business development director Ted Polly has told Hotelier Middle East the company will be installing its in-car Wi-Fi technology into Starwood Hotels & Resorts and InterContinental Hotel Group’s fleet of cars in the UAE.

Working with Etisalat as the official vendors for the technology, Blackwire’s ‘MiFi’ system uses any handheld device’s 3G or 4G technology to transmit into a Wi-Fi hotspot so users can have Wi-Fi on the go.

Explaining the advantages of the car Wi-Fi system, Polly said: “It operates as an added value service for the guests.. as soon as guests arrive, they can be connected directly through the car to their private butler in the Burj Al Arab for instance. Some other hotels just use it for business connectivity for the guests, and some hotels also use it for connectivity with the drivers.”

“Regardless of the speed of the car, regardless of whether the car is moving, they have a Wi-Fi hotspot. Plus, there’s a 50-metre ratio around the car where they can enjoy the Wi-Fi even if they are not seated in the car,” added Polly.

Blackwire has already installed its wifi technology at various hotels and airlines including the Jumeirah Group hotels, Emirates Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi, other Kempinski Hotels, Atlantis The Palm, Sofitel hotels, and Emirates Airlines, with Etihad Airlines now in the pipeline.

The cost of the car Wi-Fi system varies based on the data package – bundles are available for 1GB, 5GB, 10GB, and unlimited data.