Park Place, Cox in pact for in-room Internet access, entertainment

Monday, Dec. 17, 2001 | 10:51 a.m.

A subsidiary of Cox Communications Inc. of Atlanta has signed an agreement with Park Place Entertainment Corp. of Las Vegas for digital interactive communications services in 27,000 hotel rooms in four states.

Cox Business Services Hospitality Network, which provides interactive TV in more than 110,000 hotel rooms nationwide, approved the deal involving Park Place properties in Nevada, New Jersey, Mississippi and Indiana.

Terms were not disclosed, but Cox is investing $30 million in equipment, including the installation of digital televisions, at 18 resorts. The two companies will split revenues generated by the system when room guests order premium television programs, Internet access through the television and high-speed Internet access for laptop computers.

Robert Stewart, a spokesman for Park Place, said the company is still reviewing how much Internet access will cost guests and is considering hourly and all-day rates. Movies are charged on a per-showing basis.

The digital system is an upgrade to existing Cox analog systems in 12 of the properties and replaces competitors' systems in the other six. The company would not disclose what vendors are being replaced.

Equipment will be installed beginning in January, with completion expected by the third quarter of 2002.