Customers of Downard's Ambassador Laundry and Dry Cleaning, 15 W. Stimson Ave., and Good Dry Cleaners and Laundry, 12 W. Stimson Ave., can now access high-speed Internet service at no cost while cleaning their clothes.
IntelliWave, LLC, installed new wireless connectivity in the laundromats in late January, allowing customers to hook up laptops, personal digital assistants and iPods to access the Internet at no cost with a username and password provided by the businesses.
If you're a student who typically spends three to four hours at a laundry
this is a way to better maximize your time said Kevin Purcell, the sales and marketing director of IntelliWave, 145 Columbus Road.
Mike Downard, president of Ambassador Laundry, said the wireless connection was installed to offer something new to customers.
It was just a little perk that we thought people would take advantage of he said.
Though Downard said he also hopes the installation will increase business, he does not expect to see any effects for at least a couple of months.
Carolyn Stiltner, manager of Good Dry Cleaners and Laundry, also said she has not seen a substantial upswing in business yet.
The installation cost each Laundromat less than $100, and IntelliWave charges a monthly service fee of about $55.
Having spent the majority of his adult life in college towns, Purcell said he is well attuned to the needs of college students.
It's time better spent if you have access to the Internet while doing laundry.
Purcell said IntelliWave also provides Internet service for many other businesses in Athens. He said it is important to keep the city of Athens up to date with mainstream society because of the high-technology capabilities on Ohio University's campus.
Wireless connectivity is already popular nationally in cafés and airports, Purcell said.
For the past two years IntelliWave has offered wireless high-speed Internet services to residential areas and other businesses in Athens County, including Brenen's Coffee Café, 38 S. Court St., Perk's Coffee House & Roastery, 49 S. Court St., and Toscano's, 4 Depot St.
I think
in general
connectivity to the Internet through wireless devices is becoming more of an expectation. I think (Internet service providers) in college towns should do everything to meet that... Purcell said.
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Josh Applebaum, a second-year student, takes advantage of the wireless Internet capabilities available at Ambassador Laundry and Dry Cleaning on West Stimson Avenue yesterday. The service is at no cost to customers and was recently added as part of a grow
