DSL.net, QGO Establish Broadband Wireless 
Network at Au Bon Pain Locations in 
Boston, Providence and New Haven

Broadband Wireless 'Hot Spots' Created at Cafes Near Universities

    DSL.net, Inc., a leading nationwide provider of broadband communications services to businesses, and Rhode Island-based QGO, a premier provider of wireless switching and transmission equipment, today announced a high-speed wireless Internet trial at Au Bon Pain cafes near major universities in three New England cities.

    Au Bon is a leading urban French bakery cafe chain.

    Wi-Fi networks, or "hot spots," have been created at Au Bon Pain cafes adjacent to Northeastern University in Boston, Brown University in Providence and Yale University in New Haven. The wireless broadband trial is based on the popular 802.11b technology platform. Users with a wireless networking card in laptop computers or PDAs can enjoy high-speed Internet access while also having the capability to access work or school networks at broadband speeds.

    "Our nationwide broadband network positions us as a strong player in supporting broadband wireless networks and providing access for these hot spots," said Keith Markley, president and chief operating officer of DSL.net. "We firmly believe that WiFi networks will continue to proliferate and provide new revenue opportunities for DSL.net. We envision working closely with QGO on additional hot spots that can support national accounts like Au Bon Pain."

    Jim Fisher, vice president of Marketing at Au Bon Pain, said the WiFi service is "part of an ongoing effort to enhance the total customer experience at our cafes. Au Bon Pain is excited for opportunity to test this new technology. We believe this advancement at our cafes can provide our customers a comfortable atmosphere where they can access the Internet and at the same time enjoy a distinctively tasty and nutritious bowl of soup, sandwich, salad, or fresh bakery item."

    As Au Bon Pain looks to expand this offering, it will work with QGO and DSL.net to track usage and map out the next set of locations for service.

    "Au Bon Pain clearly recognizes the potential and benefits for providing high-speed Internet access for its clientele," said Dennis diBattista, president of Pawtucket, R.I.-based QGO. "We continue to see growing interest in creating Wi-Fi networks and we anticipate adding additional hot-spot locations in the coming months."

    Users at the Au Bon Pain locations can access its Web site for menu offerings, nutritional data, virtual tours of cafes and other related information at no charge. Au Bon Pain and QGO offer various pricing options for general Internet access. Technical support is provided by DSL.net and QGO.

    There are four connectivity plans: $30 per month for unlimited access, $6 for a 24-hour period with unlimited connectivity, $3 per hour or $1.50 for 15 minutes of usage. Users can roam among the hot spots in the different locations under the same rate plan. Payment is by credit card over a secure gateway. QGO expects to introduce a prepaid card in the near future.

    About Au Bon Pain
    Au Bon Pain is a leading worldwide urban bakery cafe chain with 230 cafes around the world. The menu includes distinctive breads and pastries baked fresh on the premises, as well as specialty soups, sandwiches, salads, coffees and other cafe beverages. Founded in 1978 and now part of the Compass Group, Au Bon celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2003. Au Bon Pain's 132 U.S.-based company cafes are concentrated in Boston, New York, Chicago and Washington, D.C.

    About QGO
    QGO furnishes and installs wireless switching and transmission equipment utilizing unlicensed spectrum, focusing primarily on the 2.4 GHz and the 5.3 GHz to 5.8 GHz bands. It also offers Internet gateway services in three states and plans to build out the popular 802.11b wireless platform on a national scale.

    About DSL.net
    Based in New Haven, Conn., DSL.net, Inc. combines its own DSL facilities, nationwide network infrastructure, and Tier I Internet Service Provider (ISP) capabilities to provide high-speed Internet access and value-added services directly to small- and medium-sized businesses throughout the United States. A certified CLEC in all 50 states, plus Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico, DSL.net sells to businesses, primarily through its own direct sales channel. DSL.net augments its direct sales strategy through select system integrators, application service providers and marketing partners. In addition to a number of high-performance, high-speed Internet connectivity solutions specifically designed for business, DSL.net product offerings include Web hosting, DNS management, enhanced e-mail, online data backup and recovery services, firewalls, virtual private networks and nationwide dial-up services.

By Robert Hoskins