Park 'N View and TravelCenters of America Join to Offer Telecom Services
27 October 1998
Park 'N View to Provide Internal and External Telecom Services for TravelCenters of America; Links Largest Travel Center Network With Total "In-Cab" Communications Provider
NEW ORLEANS--Oct. 27, 1998--Park 'N View (PNV), the in-cab cable TV and phone service provider, and TravelCenters of America (TA), the nation's largest full-service truckstop operator, announced, at the annual American Trucking Association conference, a partnership in principle specifying PNV as primary provider of TA's internal and external telecommunications services.
The new agreement involves telecom services for TA and its customers at its travel center facilities nationwide. The first complete telecom solution of its kind, it bundles internal voice and data services with external pay phone, prepaid phone card and in-cab services, including in- cab Internet access. As part of the agreement, both companies will market these expanded service offers to TA's customer base of professional drivers.
"We were looking for the total solution," said Mike Hinderliter, TravelCenter's senior vice president of marketing. "As a Park 'N View provider, we knew about their quality equipment, technology and commitment to customer satisfaction. In addition, they're the only provider offering in-cab access to the Internet and cable television."
"Up to now," said Alex Ezazi, Park 'N View's vice president of marketing, "our private voice and data network was accessible only inside the truck. This will give drivers access inside the stop as well and enable fleets to work through one provider. It also enables TA and PNV to tailor their pricing plans and bundle their service for individual drivers as well as fleets."
The integration of telecom services comes during a period of increased usage of the Internet by drivers. PNV's latest national survey indicates that 20 percent of drivers are now using laptops or PCs in their trucks.
In addition, TravelCenters has been aggressively expanding through acquisitions and new building projects. With plans for acquisition of 17 Burns Bros. sites before year end, it will have 146 travel centers nationwide.
"Our new partnership with Park 'N View means we can provide coast-to-coast telecom services, with no gaps along the way," said Mr. Hinderliter.
TravelCenters of America, based in Westlake, Ohio, has 10,000 employees. The nation's largest full-service travel center, it has a 24-hour Country Pride(R) restaurant, fast-food establishments, well-stocked convenience stores, showers, laundry facilities and more. The company offers drivers and fleets diesel fuel and truck maintenance services through facilities at prime interstate highway locations throughout the country.
Currently available at more than 150 locations nationwide -- with 50 new locations opening by the end of the year -- Park 'N View connects truck drivers to cable TV, local and long-distance phone service, fax capabilities and the Internet right in their cabs.
Established in 1995, Park 'N View, Inc. is a rapidly growing telecommunications and entertainment services provider focusing on the long-haul trucking industry. Park 'N View's national network, accessible at truckstops around the country, provides professional truck drivers and fleets with access to a wide range of broadband voice, data and cable television services from inside the truck cab.
This release is available on the KCSA Worldwide website at www.kcsa.com
EDITOR'S NOTE: A press briefing announcing this agreement will be held at 2 p.m. (Central Time) today at the ATA conference in New Orleans, Hilton Riverside, Norwich Room (third floor).