INTERNATIONAL VISITORS CAN SOON RENT CELLULAR PHONES AT LAX

(Los Angeles, California – May 17, 2001) International visitors to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) will soon have the convenience of renting cellular phones.

The Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners today approved a sub-concession agreement between Lenlyn Limited, dba ICE Currency Services USA (ICE); and Auto Symphony of San Francisco, dba Triptel, to provide rental cellular phone service at the airport's Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT).

"International passengers arriving at LAX often find that U.S. cellular network connections and technologies are not compatible with their cellular phones from their countries of origin," said Ramon Olivares, chief of LAWA Concessions Management Division. "By making rental cellular phone services available at TBIT, we can address the needs of international visitors who need to make calls locally, nationally, and internationally."

The service is expected to be available at a Triptel counter adjacent to the ICE facility located at TBIT’s Lower/Arrival Level by August 2001. Costs include a $5 daily service charge in addition to air charges. Local, nationwide, and international call rates are expected to be competitive and based on industry standards. Visitors can rent a cellular phone at the Triptel counter and return it to the counter upon their departure. Customers can also arrange to return the cell phones via Federal Express for a $12 to $15 additional fee.

ICE is the provider of business center services at LAX including foreign currency exchange, traveler’s checks, travel insurance, cash advances, money wire, and notary public. ICE facilities are located at all of LAX's nine passenger terminals on the Upper/Departure Levels and also on the Lower/Arrival Levels of TBIT and Terminals 2, 5, and 6.

According to Triptel officials, an average cellular phone rental is 7-½ days.

(GLG -- 5/17/01)