MARRIOTT TO EXPAND ITS HIGH-SPEED INTERNET ACCESS TO ITS HOTELS OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES

Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE:MAR) has reached an exclusive agreement with STSN, Inc. that will enable it to offer its high-speed Internet access service in more than 250 Marriott, Renaissance and Courtyard hotels outside the continental United States. Installation of the service will begin in the fall and will extend into 2001.

The service, first introduced in the U.S. 15 months ago, will be available in guest rooms, meeting rooms and business centers and is up to 50 times faster than conventional dial-up access. It allows guests to access the Internet and use the telephone at the same time. STSN has created a revolutionary “plug and play” solution that permits the guest to easily connect to the Internet using an Ethernet or USB cable.

Installation is proceeding rapidly, because the STSN system utilizes existing phone lines and requires no new wiring or cable. Marriott expects to have more than 500 hotels worldwide equipped with the STSN service by the end of this year.

“We are excited to extend this service to our guests,” said Ed Fuller, president and managing director of international lodging for Marriott International. “High speed connectivity is becoming the price of entry in our competitive industry, and we are pleased to be among the first to offer this service on a global basis.”

STSN’s system works with any Internet-compatible laptop or computer and does not require the guest to acquire or use special PC accessories. The guest can simply and securely access the Internet in the same manner they do at the office or at home.

For 24-hour Internet access, Marriott charges a nominal fee that varies by location. As an added benefit, the system features a complimentary customized web page that offers information about hotel amenities, business services, restaurants, special online conference services, local attractions, transportation and shopping. STSN also provides Marriott guests with a toll-free help line to answer questions and provide assistance 24 hours a day.

In addition, guests have uniquely secure access to their private corporate networks, e-mail systems, scheduling programs, sales force automation and client serve applications. STSN’s high-speed connectivity eliminates lengthy downloads and turns the Internet into a “real-time” resource of work and entertainment.

Marriott conducted extensive customer research at more than 40 hotels to determine the best high-speed, in-room Internet solution possible. In total, the company installed and tested nine different high-speed Internet access systems over a 24-month period. STSN’s product, which attaches to the existing guest room telephone line, was the clear choice among both the savvy laptop-carrying business traveler and the occasional user. In addition, Marriott found that more than half of its guests who travel with laptops connect to an Internet service provider.

STSN is a global provider of building-centric high-speed Internet access and other specialized broadband services. STSN offers powerful and convenient Internet solutions for the hospitality industry, multiple dwelling units, commercial office and airport markets. STSN’s simple plug and play solution can provide users with Internet connectivity at speeds of up to 300 times faster than traditional dial-up connectivity. STSN is headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah (USA), with additional offices in San Jose, London, Singapore, Seoul, Brisbane, Frankfurt, Tokyo and Hong Kong.