TWC WiFi® Hotspots launch brings the full force of connectivity and convenience to historic landmark
KANSAS CITY, MO – (May 7, 2014) – After nine months of careful planning and installation – Union Station is “hot” with free public WiFi, and poised to support and grow its core missions of science, technology and entrepreneurism thanks to the generosity of Time Warner Cable.
Time Warner Cable’s TWC WiFi® Hotspots will provide guests with wireless Internet connectivity throughout the public spaces (including Science City) in the historic building. Whether at the station for business, exhibits, dining, transportation or simply exploring the building’s architecture, TWC WiFi® Hotspots will enable visitors to stay connected and interact in a new way.
“Technology lives and breathes at Union Station,” George Guastello, president and CEO of Union Station, said. “Thanks to Time Warner Cable, we are now fully-wired, enabling us to move forward as a hub for technology and allowing the community to connect, create, discover and celebrate in a new way. At the same time, the historical integrity of this iconic landmark has been maintained due to the tremendous care Time Warner Cable took during the installation. A project this big – their biggest indoor installation to date in Kansas City – could never have been accomplished without their dedication to the mission of this great building. “
To preserve the historic nature of Union Station, TWC WiFi® Hotspots were installed with care throughout the building to ensure the Kansas City landmark’s historical integrity remained intact. Time Warner Cable met this challenge by investing approximately 1,300 man-hours– carefully installing nearly 1.5 miles of fiber cable, the length of 22 football fields.
“Time Warner Cable has a long-standing relationship with Union Station,” Area Vice President of Operations, Perry Watson, said. “We currently provide the station and its tenants with one gigabit of connectivity through our Time Warner Cable Business Class service, and the new TWC WiFi® Hotspots offering comes as part of our continued commitment to help the Kansas City community make connections that matter. With WiFi connectivity, all those visiting and working in Union Station have the means to explore, learn, create and achieve great things.”
Throughout the station, signs with the TWCWiFi network name have been strategically placed so guests may easily access TWC WiFi® Hotspots. TWC customers with Standard and above Internet service can enjoy unlimited free access by signing in using the same credentials they use to manage their existing online Time Warner Cable account. All others can enjoy free access signing in as a visitor for up to two hours per day with the option of extending the connection time through a prepaid access pass.
“A hundred years ago Union Station became the nation’s center of commerce,” Bob Marcusse, president and CEO of the Kansas City Area Development Council, said. “Today, Union Station has reinvented itself, fast becoming the nation’s center of e-commerce by empowering the entrepreneur to connect with the world.”
As part of its long-term partnership with Union Station, Time Warner Cable and Time Warner Cable Business Class will continue to provide services to existing technology and businesses through the building, including a one-gigabit connection to the 440-seat Regnier Extreme Screen Theater, the Entrepreneurial Conference Area, as well as connectivity to the Station’s high-technology tenants, such as SightDeck KC, an integrated telepresence system provider, and CinTech, a digital production company.
“Time Warner Cable is a proud member of the Kansas City Community and has a vested interest in providing great customer service, information and services to our customers,” said Watson. “Since 2012, we have provided Kansas Citians with on-the-go Internet access with more than 1,100 TWC WiFi® Hotspots available throughout the Kansas City area, including Zona Rosa, Country Club Plaza, Power and Light District, and Overland Park Farmer’s Market to name just a few. We are excited to now add a landmark like Union Station to the growing list.”
For more information about Time Warner Cable TWC WiFi® Hotspots visit www.twc.com/wifi.
About Union Station Kansas City, Inc.
On October 30, 2014, Union Station Kansas City will celebrate its 100th Anniversary. This majestic landmark opened and was dedicated on October 30, 1914. During its opening ceremony, Union Station was heralded as one of the most beautiful train stations in the country and that tradition continues today. Events will be scheduled throughout 2014 to commemorate the anniversary with the culmination being a community open house the weekend of November 1st.
A historical landmark and civic asset renovated and reopened to the public in 1999, the organization, driven by its mission of science and history education and entertainment, features a science center, the popular Model Railroad Experience open year round, new planetarium, one of the region’s largest screen movie theaters, live theater, shops, restaurants and home to prominent area civic organizations and businesses. Visit unionstation.org for details. Union Station was named the Kansas City’s favorite landmark and as one of the top five museums and attractions in Kansas City by the KCCVA Visitors’ Choice Awards. Science City was named the favorite museum by KC Parent magazine.
About Time Warner Cable
Time Warner Cable Inc. (NYSE: TWC) is among the largest providers of video, high-speed data and voice services in the United States, connecting 15 million customers to entertainment, information and each other. Time Warner Cable Business Class offers data, video and voice services to businesses of all sizes, cell tower backhaul services to wireless carriers and enterprise-class, cloud-enabled hosting, managed applications and services. Time Warner Cable Media, the advertising arm of Time Warner Cable, offers national, regional and local companies innovative advertising solutions. More information about the services of Time Warner Cable is available at www.twc.com, www.twcbc.com and www.twcmedia.com.