NetNearU Announces Innovative Software Product to Dramatically Increase Wi-Fi Hotspot Revenue

Company’s history developing kiosk applications provides a compelling solution to Wi-Fi operators

(December 2, 2002) COLLEGE STATION, Texas – NetNearU (NNU), an industry leader in management software solutions for the public Internet access market, announced today an innovative software product to dramatically increase Wi-Fi hotspot revenues. Available immediately, the Company is now offering an enhanced version of NNU Runtime Engine, called NNU Runtime Engine for Wi-Fi. This software allows hotspot operators to deploy low-cost wireless kiosks in their locations.

"We recognize that many people may not have their laptops or required Wi-Fi technology when visiting a hotspot such as a café” said Larry James, chairman and CEO of NetNearU. “Installing a wireless kiosk based on NNU Runtime Engine for Wi-Fi opens a hotspot’s available market to virtually 100% of customers. Most wireless locations achieve immediate profitability after installing this solution.”

This is a unique solution that only NetNearU, with its extensive research and development investment in kiosk platforms, can offer. Many competing solutions provide a stationary kiosk, but these will not operate on a wireless connection, seamlessly integrate into a Wi-Fi hotspot, nor have the cost-saving features of NNU Runtime Engine for Wi-Fi. The software allows the kiosk to be “locked down” meaning unacceptable content or unauthorized system file access is eliminated. This greatly reduces content liability and system management costs. By installing NNU Runtime Engine, the location operator can also upload and rotate advertising content.

Advertising content can be managed through NetNearU’s ADTRACKOSTM system. The use of interactive advertising content opens yet another source of hotspot revenues. ADTRACKOS allows advertising across an unlimited number of locations, and advertising campaigns can be localized and categorized based on a virtually unlimited number of parameters. Displaying advertising content is completely flexible. It can appear in windows around the browser, on the screen saver when the terminal is idle, or both.

WiSE Technologies is a leading provider of wireless environments based on the Wi-Fi standard and a NetNearU partner. "WiSE Technologies is consistently searching for the best technology alliances to further improve functionality and ease of use," said Gary Murray II, CEO of WiSE Technologies. "We therefore look forward to the addition of NNU Runtime Engine for Wi-Fi within all of our locations to lower administrative costs and create additional revenue streams through interactive advertising."

Previously, installing a kiosk with this functionality was very capital intensive, with many wired kiosks costing more than $5000 per unit. With a wireless kiosk based on NNU Runtime Engine, virtually any WindowsTM based personal computer, costing as little as $500 is now a full-featured kiosk.

The software is available immediately and costs $100 per wireless terminal. However, if the customer subscribes to the ADTRACKOS solution to manage their advertising content, NNU Runtime Engine for Wi-Fi is free.

NetNearU's roster of blue chip clients includes: TCG Public Communications Inc, a wholly-owned subsidiary of AT&T Corporation; Verizon Communications Inc.; Federated Systems Group Inc., a subsidiary of Federated Department Stores, Inc.; Cable & Wireless; Sprint Pay Phone Services Corporation; and British Petroleum Oil UK Limited.

For a live demonstration of the NNU Runtime Engine for Wi-Fi solution, visit the NetNearU booth (#401) at the 802.11 Planet show in San Jose, CA, December 4 & 5, 2002.

About NetNearU

NetNearU Corp. provides comprehensive point-of-access management solutions including central administration systems and client software for distributed devices. The Company's software solutions manage networks of broadband wireless access points utilizing the 802.11 standard, as well as Internet-based kiosks and web payphones used to provide public Internet access, mobile professional data services, e-commerce applications and customer service functions. The Company is headquartered in College Station, Texas. More information about NetNearU may be found at http://www.nnu.com.
Contact:
David Comer
Director of Marketing
NetNearU Corp.
david.comer@nnu.com
979-775-3405

Dale Chrisman
Chrisman Group Public Relations
dale@chrismangroup.com
512-345-8969