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Avis puts WiFi on wheels

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Rent a car these days, and you can roll away with a portable WiFi network that keeps laptops, handheld PCs and PDAs connected. On May 21, Avis Rent a Car Systems and Autonet Mobile joined forces to release Avis Connect, a system that turns the fleet’s cars into secure mobile hotspots.

Avis rental cars at the San Francisco International Airport were the first to be equipped with the new device. Available for $10.95 per day, Avis Connect interacts with all WiFi-enabled devices and requires no additional software or plug-ins.

Within the next few weeks, the service will become available at Avis airport car rental locations in San Jose, Oakland and Los Angeles, Calif., and Newark, N.J. This fall, the equipment will become available at airport locations in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Miami, New York, San Diego and Seattle.

Although the system makes surfing while driving possible, Avis says all drivers will be told not to use the Web connection unless the vehicle is parked.