Wireless Internet to Launch on Seattle-Bainbridge Ferry Run

Wireless Internet to Launch on Seattle-Bainbridge Ferry Run

PORT TOWNSEND, Wash., Feb. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Commute time just got a lot more productive on five ferries thanks to collaboration between Mobilisa, Inc. and Washington State Ferries. Free wireless Internet will be available on the heavily traveled Bainbridge Island-Seattle route February 4, 2005, with Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash) tentatively scheduled to participate in the "cable cutting" kick-off on the 10:40 a.m. trip.

"This is the third ferry run to get Wi-Fi," said Jim Long, WSF Information Technology Director. "The Port Townsend-Keystone route was launched last summer and the Kingston-Edmonds in December. We're pleased to offer this service to our passengers, as we think it really improves the customer experience."

The service will remain free until the end of April at which time a private operator may take over the service. Passengers on the three routes are now able to surf the Internet, check their e-mail and access Web information at speeds many times faster than a dial up connection.

Mobilisa and Washington State Ferries were identified in a research grant sponsored by Senator Murray and managed by the Federal Department of Transportation to determine the feasibility of wireless Internet on board ferry routes in Puget Sound.

"Wi-Fi typically only works for short distances and doesn't allow for roaming," said Nelson Ludlow, CEO of Mobilisa. "Our Wireless Over Water(TM) technology is the key to the success of this project."

Mobilisa is the first company in the world to launch Wi-Fi on ferries. Access to Wi-Fi is available in the main passenger deck on the ferries, terminal holding lanes and the passenger terminals. The service is available on five ferries: MV Klickitat, MV Puyallup, MV Spokane, MV Tacoma and MV Wenatchee.

To establish a user account, information will be on rack cards aboard the ferries, or go online to www.mobilisa.net and follow the instructions. Users will need a Wi-Fi enabled laptop, handheld device or PDA. Questions about the service can be directed to 1.800.WSF.WiFi or help@mobilisa.net.

Mobilisa is a dynamic software development company and a national leader in mobile and wireless technology servicing government, industry and the military. Mobilisa provides complete services including consultation, custom mobile software, wireless infrastructure installations, wireless Local Area Network (LAN) security evaluations, cell phone applications, smart card systems, advanced research and development and large system integration of wireless computer systems for the mobile professional. Mobilisa is a U.S. corporation headquartered in Port Townsend, Washington. For more information about Mobilisa and its services, visit www.mobilisa.com, e-mail info@mobilisa.com or call toll free 1-877-7MOBILISA.


Source: Mobilisa, Inc.

CONTACT: Christina Pivarnik, Director of Marketing of Mobilisa,
+1-360-344-3233, ext. 144, or christina.pivarnik@mobilisa.com

Web site: http://www.mobilisa.com/


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