The $275 million cash deal expands AT&T's domestic Wi-Fi hotspots to more than 20,000 locations. Already providing back-office management for AT&T’s Wi-Fi hotspots, Wayport also brings to the transaction hotspots at McDonald's restaurants, health organizations HealthSouth and Sun Healthcare and select Wyndham, Marriott Vacation Club and Four Seasons hotels.
AT&T expanded its Wi-Fi footprint Nov. 6 with the
acquisition of privately held Wayport. The $275 million cash deal expands
AT&T's domestic Wi-Fi hotspots to more than 20,000 locations.
Wayport, of Irving, Texas, operates hotspots at McDonald's
restaurants, select Wyndham, Marriott Vacation Club and Four Seasons hotels and
HealthSouth and Sun Healthcare locations. Wayport already provides back-office
management for AT&T’s Wi-Fi hotspots.
"We're seeing exponential growth of Wi-Fi-enabled
devices -- such as smart phones -- combined with a continued dependency on 24/7,
anytime, anywhere Internet access across business and consumer market
segments," John Stankey, president and CEO of AT&T Operations, said in
a statement. "By acquiring Wayport, we’re giving consumers more ways to
stay in touch and building a more robust network management solution for
businesses. We’re bringing ready access to the nation’s leading Wi-Fi, wireless
and IP networks -- on a global scale."
AT&T said the combined company would be able to
deliver a more cost-effective and streamlined solution for enterprises by providing
more access to end-user applications. With both the back-office infrastructure
and end-user content application managed by one company, AT&T said, businesses
can reduce operating costs, customize their customers' experience and reach
more customers in new ways.
Wayport Chairman and CEO Dave Vucina said the
acquisition by AT&T will take the company's "strength in delivering
Wi-Fi solutions over converged networks to an entirely new level."
The transaction is expected to close by the end of the
year.
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