By Steve Ranger, 4 May 2005 17:25
NEWS Gaming and entertainment machine company Leisure Link Group has signed a £45m deal to give its kiosks broadband access.
The machines will use broadband to update content such as games and music downloads, and to provide Wi-Fi access. The new deal with BT builds on an existing two-year deal worth £16m signed last year.
Norman Crowley, CEO of Inspired Broadcast Networks, part of the Leisure Link Group, told silicon.com: "The coin-op business hasn't really changed for 30 years. This whole revolution has been enabled by broadband being at the price point that is."
For example, one of the company's machines might be uploading photos to be printed while downloading music and games information - which takes substantial bandwidth.
The performance of the terminals can also be managed centrally through the broadband link.
The company is talking to vending machine operators about a kiosk that can offer music downloads, photo printing, mobile phone top-ups, Wi-Fi connectivity - and vend drinks.
It is also about to begin the rollout of machines that will allow customers to print pictures directly from their mobile phones.
As part of the same deal, BT will be providing Leisure Link with a converged IP network for its company communications.
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