Firm offers Internet access at marinas By Richard Lee April 24, 2003 Buying the assets of a pioneer wireless high-speed Internet access company has made a Wilton business the biggest player supplying the service commonly known as Wi-Fi to the marina market. Beacon Wi-Fi Technologies LLC in Wilton, with the acquisition of Global Wireless Services from Miami-based Global Yachts International, has added 20 marinas in the eastern half of the country to its fold. "Global Wireless was the biggest, and now we clearly have the most coverage. We cover 35 marinas," said Russell Schmidt, co-founder of Beacon Wi-Fi and one of four managing members. The timing was right for the sale of Global Wireless, allowing continuation of a coastal network, said Gerry Berton, owner of Global Yachts International. "I continue to see a great opportunity with wireless communications at marinas, and I look forward to watching it grow," said Berton, who started the business in early 2001. Now, 10,000 slips have access to Wi-Fi service provided by the Wilton firm, established a year ago by Schmidt and Christopher Reitz, both avid boaters and veterans of the wireless communications industry. "Our customers can now access the Internet at many marinas along the East Coast," said Reitz, a former executive at Motorola. "We have learned a substantial amount dealing with Mr. Berton and will use these lessons to offer the highest level of service to our customers." The future is as clear as a sunny day on a calm sea, as far as Schmidt is concerned. "There's a very high demand for Internet service at the boats. We expect it to be significantly more soon. That's why we're trying to expand our footprint as fast as we can," Schmidt said, commenting that demand for the service is solid despite a languid economy. "As a boat owner, gaining access to the Internet from my slip allows me to spend more time with my family where I am at peace -- on my boat," he said. "Subsequently, we were immediately able to identify the growing need for Wi-Fi technology in the marina market." Wi-Fi has a bright future as technological improvements are made, making it more accessible to locations, including marinas, said Eric Griffith, managing editor of 802.11 Planet, a Web site for wireless networking focusing on information technology professionals. "There's no lack of innovation in what wireless is going to be able to do. It's going to get better and cheaper," said Griffith, whose Web site is a part of Jupitermedia Corp. in Darien. The Global Wireless acquisition follows the purchase in February of assets of Aqua Access, a smaller operation. "Acquisitions are one way of expanding the Beacon Wi-Fi wireless footprint in the marina market. Our goal remains to provide wireless service to many boat owners throughout the country for the 2003 season," said Reitz at the time of the Aqua Access acquisition. Before the acquisitions, Beacon Wi-Fi was serving about a half-dozen marinas. "There aren't many left to buy that had the impact of Global," said Schmidt, declining to discuss the prices of the two transactions. "We're interested in large, family-oriented marinas. We're not going after a marina with 40 slips to install $10,000 in equipment." Target marinas are typically equipped with playgrounds, pools and other features enjoyed by children and adults who see their boats and the marinas as weekend get-aways. Beacon Wi-Fi, through marketing agreements with the marinas, installs equipment that provides wireless Internet for boats within about 1,000 feet of the dock. Subscribing boaters are billed directly. The monthly rate for a six-month contract is $39.99, and for 12 months it is $29.99. "We've kept pretty much on target," said Schmidt, whose business has six employees and a sales office in Boynton Beach, Fla. "We're concentrating on the Northeast and Southeast. Our goal is to build a coastal network along the East Coast right now." Beacon Wi-Fi has also added marinas in Chicago and Racine, Wis., on Lake Michigan. Schmidt, a former executive with Melard Technologies, declined to discuss how many customers the business has but said its managers are seeking private funding to continue their expansion efforts. Beacon also plans to introduce marine-specific products and services on its networks. Beacon Wi-Fi has been working to expand its clientele at the Harborage Marina in St. Petersburg, Fla., which has 292 slips and about 40 subscribers, according to dockmaster Tom Carney. "It's getting more and more popular every day. It's convenient for people. It works very well, according to our customers," Carney said. "The more it (Beacon Wi-Fi) spreads out, the better it will be for everybody." Phil Hester, a wireless customer at Harborage Marina, said he depends on the Internet service for his business. "Having wireless Internet access at my boat isn't a want -- it's a necessity," he said. "I am part of a global organization, and we communicate mainly via e-mail. I cannot effectively do my job if I do not have Internet access at my boat." The company also has brought its service to the 860-slip Brewer Pilots Point Marina in Westbrook, one of seven Brewer marinas in Connecticut, including Brewer Yacht Haven in Stamford. "We've been testing it for the past two or three months. It seems to be working well," said Rives Potts, manager of the Westbrook marina. "More and more people are using computers. We want to make sure when they visit their boat they aren't out of touch." The service probably will be extended, Potts said, to the six other Brewer marinas in Connecticut, four in New York state, four in Rhode Island, two in Massachusetts and one in Maine. Copyright (c) 2003, Southern Connecticut Newspapers, Inc. -------------------- This article originally appeared at: Visit the Advocate online at http://www.stamfordadvocate.com
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