PARSIPPANY, N.J., Jan. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Avis Rent A Car System, LLC, today announced the introduction of a new service that provides Avis renters with portable wireless Internet access which can be carried anywhere, from the hotel room to the conference room and beyond, to help travelers stay connected wherever they go.

Starting in the first quarter of 2007, Avis customers will be able to rent an Autonet Mobile Service unit, the first "always-on broadband mobile network," which provides a portable mobile Wi-Fi hotspot that works virtually anywhere. The new technology will initially be available in 10 U.S. markets, for an additional fee of $10.95 per day.

Autonet Mobile Service takes the guesswork out of on-the-road broadband connectivity for business travelers and vacationers alike by turning any hotel room, lobby or coffee shop into a Wi-Fi hotspot. It also provides travelers with a convenient portable way to obtain all of the information and services available through the Internet, including weather conditions, local news, entertainment/dining options, downloadable music and movies, and even traffic updates.

"Avis continues to be the rental car industry leader in launching new and innovative technologies that enhance both business and leisure travel for our customers," said Michael Caron, vice president of product and program development for Avis Budget Group, Inc., parent of Avis. "The Autonet Mobile Service not only enhances productivity for our business customers, but also provides convenience and hours of entertainment for families and vacationers at any time during their travels while on the ground."

Avis customers that utilize the Autonet Mobile Service do not need cellular data cards or special software loads to connect to wireless Internet devices: Simply turn on, logon, and surf. Autonet Mobile Service is compatible with all Wi-Fi enabled devices, including laptops, MacBooks, Ultra-Mobile PC handhelds, and PDAs.

"Working with Avis allows us to offer unparalleled wireless access to drivers on the move," said Sterling Pratz, CEO of Autonet Mobile. For business travelers, families on the go, international visitors or vacationers, the Autonet Mobile Service offers broadband connectivity to any Wi-Fi-enabled device, gaming, chat, email - you name it. With Avis, we are able to enhance the rental experience by keeping people connected."

The service will be available at select Avis locations in the following cities: Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York (metro area), San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington, D.C. For more information, visit www.avis.com. 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 or when the vehicle is parked.

About Autonet Mobile

The Autonet Mobile Service, the first ever always-on mobile Internet service for the car, which will debut at CES in Las Vegas. Autonet Mobile is the world's first in-car Internet service provider. Founded by a former race car driver and wireless network engineer, the company is dedicated to enhancing the in-car experience, and bringing a full, multimedia experience to the 200+ million cars on the road in the U.S. Reliable, secure and fast Autonet Mobile turns the car into a secure mobile hotspot, allowing multiple Wi-Fi-enabled devices to connect, and giving consumers unparalleled access to data, music, games, chat, and anything else they might like to access in their second home-the car. For more information about Autonet Mobile technology, visit www.autonetmobile.com.

About Avis

Avis Rent A Car System, LLC and its subsidiaries operate one of the world's leading car rental brands, providing business and leisure customers with a wide range of services at more than 2,100 locations in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the Latin American / Caribbean region. Avis is one of the world's top brands for customer loyalty, ranking as the number one car rental company in the 2006 Brand Keys(R) Customer Loyalty Index. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Avis Budget Group, Inc. (NYSE:CAR) . For more information, visit www.avis.com.