Peter Van Horn of the San Diego-based Atcom/Info demonstrates
the new
"cyberbooth" kiosk that GTE Hawaiian Tel plans
to install
at Ala Moana Center later this month.
Photo by Craig T. Kojima, Star-Bulletin
Starting Oct. 1, the utility is offering Hawaii residents unlimited dial-up access to the Internet for $19.95 a month.
It will become the second major Hawaii telecom player in recent months to tap into the growing popularity of the Internet's World Wide Web. In February, AT&T Corp. launched a similar online service for the same price for its long-distance customers.
The moves reflect an industry trend toward of offering as wide a range of services as possible, hoping to snare more business in a fast-changing and increasingly competitive market.
Residents need a computer and modem to get the service. For those not wanting unlimited access, GTE is offering up to five hours per month for $8.95. The additional per-hour charge is $1.95. With either option, the charge can be added to the customer's monthly phone bill.
At a news conference yesterday to announce the new service, GTE also showed off a "cyberbooth" that it plans to install at Ala Moana Center, giving shoppers the opportunity to access the Internet.
The pyramid-looking kiosk, designed by San Diego-based Atcom/Info and programmed to accept credit and calling cards, has two computers that can be used to check electronic mail or surf the Net.
GTE hasn't determined a usage charge but it probably will be between 30 cents and 40 cents per minute, said Thomas Hall, vice president of GTE's online services.
The Ala Moana kiosk should be up later this month, the company said, with additional Hawaii sites to be announced later.
Hall said primary users likely will be business travelers, so the company expects to install kiosks at airports, hotels, convention centers and other sites nationwide.
He said the kiosks have the potential to become as commonplace as automated teller machines or pay phones, allowing people who don't own computers to access the Internet.
If AT&T's experience is any indication, Hawaii residents seem particularly eager to surf the Net. AT&T spokesman George Irion said local demand for the company's Internet service has exceeded projections, so much so that AT&T had to beef up facilities to handle the demand. He couldn't provide specific figures.