Bankoh ATMs going wireless in partnership with Sprint

Bank of Hawaii is going wireless -- with its automated teller machines.

The 109-year-old financial institution said yesterday it is teaming with Sprint Hawaii to offer the first wireless ATMs in the state.

Bankoh, which pilot-tested its machines at the Taste of Honolulu and Hawaii Highland Games last month, said wireless broadband technology allows it to set up portable ATMs in any location with an electrical outlet and wherever Sprint provides wireless connections.

The bank said the wireless ATMs are ideal for sporting and community events since no telephone land line is needed. It also said the wireless ATMs will give merchants more places to put the machines in their stores since only an electrical outlet will be needed.

"There's no great push at the moment for our merchants (such as McDonald's) to convert, but as we talk to them going forward and we inform them of the technology, if they're remodeling their stores, they may choose to have us go ahead with wireless rather than rewire the phone jacks," said John Gray, senior executive vice president of Bank of Hawaii.

Bankoh, which operates about 500 ATMs systemwide and the most in the state, has one Bankohmobile that it uses at such events as the State Fair and BayFest, along with two free-standing portable ATMs that it has used at those venues and others. Both those free-standing machines have now been converted to wireless.

"This will give customers a safe and secure transaction and a faster transaction than the dial-up access we had before," Gray said. "It also will allow us to set it up faster and get it in service when we show up at an event."

Gray said the Sprint mobile broadband technology offers secure, high-speed Internet access that is comparable to cable modem-type service but with higher security and reliability than current WiFi wireless technology.

Bankoh said the wireless ATMs are available statewide for public events that are expected to draw 1,000 or more people and may be requested by calling 1-888-643-3888. Certain restrictions may apply.