A new wireless technology from Vancouver-based Columbia Advanced Wireless Inc. (CAW) is streamlining the process of Internet usage for truck drivers, providing them with wireless access to the Internet at participating truckstops.

CAW's first deployment of its broadband, wireless Internet access system is at the Flying J Truckstop in Federal Way, Wash. The truckstop and CAW teamed together to provide drivers with easy access to the Internet using CAW's prepaid, wireless Internet technology. All drivers who park at Flying J in Federal Way are eligible to use the Internet system.
Using prepaid cards, purchased at any participating truckstop, drivers with a laptop and a wireless PCMCIA card can go on online via CAW's broadband wireless Internet system. When drivers turn on their computer and launch the browser, CAW's wireless system locates the computer signal and displays the CAW icon and registration page. After replying to a payment prompt -- VISA or prepaid -- the driver logs on and is connected to the World Wide Web.
"No one else has put together a complete, easy-to-use wireless Internet solution for the truckstop and the truck driver," said Todd Purnick, CAW's president. "We offer a whole product -- broadband wireless access, an easy way to pay for the Internet service, and a uniform system that works consistently across the U.S. We're a Wireless Internet Service Provider for truckstops."
More than 25% of the 3 million truck drivers in the U.S. carry laptops, according to Purnick. "More and more drivers are using the Internet to locate loads, and they are using online banking to pay bills and perform routine financial transactions. With an average of 1.3 million drivers parked at truckstops across the nation each day, there is a need for an easy-to-use Internet solution that drivers can depend upon as they travel across the country."
Purnick said Columbia Advanced Wireless is taking steps to ensure that the new broadband wireless Internet service is user friendly. A customer service center is available toll-free, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to drivers with questions regarding the service or their computer configuration.
"We want to see more drivers taking advantage of technology, and we want to make our customers comfortable with those purchases," said Purnick.
CAW also gives drivers a variety of pay options. Drivers can purchase prepaid Internet access cards at the truck stop in several denominations, or they can use a Visa card. Once the service is paid for, the user's card is accepted at any truck stop that offers the CAW wireless Internet system. In addition to supplying prepaid cards, CAW is teaming up with truckstops to offer hardware and software that the driver might need to access the wireless Internet system, including wireless PCMCIA cards, laptops and other peripherals.
The Flying J truckstop in Federal Way is the first of many locations across the U.S. that will offer the wireless Internet service, according to Purnick. Columbia Advanced Wireless will launch the service nationwide next month and begin installing 22 locations each month.
Columbia Advanced Wireless, headquartered in Vancouver, provides and markets wireless technology to the trucking industry. For more information, visit www.cawinc.com, or call (877)-315-0859.