Wayport

Wayport, Inc. operated as a foundational provider of Wi-Fi broadband internet access, establishing a significant presence before its strategic acquisition. Founded in 1996 by Brad Gray in Austin, Texas, the company pioneered the deployment of Wi-Fi hotspots in public venues. Wayport's business model centered on installing and managing Wi-Fi networks in high-traffic locations such as hotels, airports, and retail chains, including major brands like McDonald's and Starbucks. Revenue was generated through direct user payments for access, partnerships with venues, and roaming agreements with telecommunications companies that could resell the service under their own brand.

The company's service provided travelers and mobile professionals with high-speed internet connectivity for laptops and other devices, a critical amenity in the early 2000s. A key milestone was the launch of the Wayport Wi-Fi World program in 2004, which facilitated unlimited-use Wi-Fi locations paid for monthly by the venue, simplifying access for consumers and creating a scalable business model. This strategy, combined with significant partnerships, allowed Wayport to expand its network to approximately 28,000 hotspots in the U.S. by October 2010. The company successfully raised $104 million over four funding rounds, with its first round on December 11, 2000, attracting institutional investors like Bank of America.

On November 6, 2008, AT&T announced its acquisition of Wayport for $275 million in cash, a deal that closed on December 12, 2008. The acquisition was a strategic move for AT&T to significantly expand its Wi-Fi footprint to nearly 20,000 domestic hotspots at the time, enhancing its mobile internet coverage for a growing number of smartphone users. Following the acquisition, Wayport was rebranded as AT&T Wi-Fi Services. The European, Middle Eastern, and African division of Wayport was later sold to Swisscom Hospitality Services in April 2010, while AT&T retained and continued to operate the U.S. assets. Keywords: Wayport, AT&T Wi-Fi Services, public Wi-Fi provider, internet hotspots, broadband internet access, airport Wi-Fi, hotel internet, McDonald's Wi-Fi, Starbucks Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi roaming, telecommunications partnership, Brad Gray, Dave Vucina, wireless network services, AT&T acquisition, public internet access, mobile broadband, Wi-Fi infrastructure, Austin technology company, network management solutions