Avis Connect from Avis Rent A Car

Avis is finally rolling out the in-car Wi-Fi system I wrote about a few months ago, under the name “Avis Connect.” Avis Connect will allow users to connect to the internet from any location for $10.95 a day. The press release mentions using the service for business meeting and hotel rooms at at the airport. Avis Connect is a portable device that looks just like a wireless router you would find in a home or small business. It comes with power adapters for wall outlets as well as car cigarette lighters, so it can travel with you. This system allows multiple Wi-Fi enabled products to be connected to the internet, including laptops, mobile PCs and PDAs.

The first Avis Connect units were available yesterday at San Francisco International Airport and will be offered in the coming weeks at Avis airport locations in San Jose, Oakland, Los Angeles and Newark. The company then intends to make the units available at airport locations in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Miami, New York, San Diego and Seattle.

Here is a quote from the press release to help you sleep better at night. “Avis customers will be reminded at the time of rental that the service is not to be used by the driver while operating the vehicle. The service is intended to be used by passengers, when the vehicle is parked, or in locations other than the rental car.” Whew.