Illinois and Wisconsin Embrace Wi-Fi with WEBbeams Network

For immediate release.
April 19, 2004.
Milwaukee, WI.

Since launching its high-speed wireless Internet service in 2003, WEBbeams has found a warm welcome in coffee shops, cafés, restaurants, bars, a high-tech business center, and even a theatre. A small company founded by Brian Van Lieshout of Jackson, WI, and Chris Olson of Evanston, IL, WEBbeams provides public Wi-Fi service with flexible subscriptions, including pay-per-use or monthly use plans. WEBbeams users are able to log on at any WEBbeams location, or at partner locations throughout the U.S. and abroad through roaming agreements with NetNearU and Boingo. Some WEBbeams locations offer computers for WEBbeams customers to use, although most users bring along their own laptop, PDA, or other WiFi-enabled device.

Nationwide and throughout the world, locations that offer public Wi-Fi, known as hotspots, have grown rapidly throughout the past couple years – and that growth is expected to continue. According to a study by Gartner, the number of worldwide users of Wi-Fi will triple this year to about 30 million, a substantial rise compared to 9.3 million users in 2003. Hotspots have appeared in schools, sports arenas, limousines, truck stops, trains, airplanes, hotels, and myriad other locations.

WEBbeams has focused specifically on the café niche, believing in the importance of fully immersing itself in a specific market to help shop owners understand how WiFi can increase their profitability. Its Illinois locations include The Boulevard Café and Viva Java in Chicago, as well as Prairie Moon All American Dining in Evanston.

Wisconsin hotspots include Copper Rock Coffee Company and La Pomme Rouge Gallery in Appleton; Nova Cena in Glendale; New Moon Café in Oshkosh; Nova Cena in Wauwatosa; and Anodyne Coffee Roasting Co., Bean Head Café, Blue Dawg Bagels, Erbert & Gerbert’s Subs & Clubs, Hooligan’s, IT Fusion Business Centers, Inc., Miramar Theatre, MOCAIS Café, Nova Cena, ROAST, inc., Steamers, and Thai Joe’s in Milwaukee. Specific information about these locations, including address and contact information, can be found by clicking here.

WEBbeams partners with coffee shops and restaurants to offer high-speed wireless Internet connections. To learn how you can join the rapidly growing WEBbeams network, increasing revenue and enticing new customers, contact sales@webbeams.com.