Science & Technology
Science and Technology
Science and Technology 
Tue, December 16, 2008
Mon, December 15, 2008
iPass Delivers 100,000 Global Wi-Fi Hotspots to iPhone and iPod Touch Users
REDWOOD SHORES, Calif.--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--iPass Inc., (NASDAQ: IPAS) a leading provider of mobility services to many of the world's largest companies, today announced it has added support for iPhone and the iPod Touch handheld devices to its iPassConnect™ mobility service for individuals. The service now gives users a single account for connecting their Apple devices at more than 100,000 commercial hotspots from over 100 Wi-Fi providers across 78 countries. Users simply download the iPassConnect mobility manager from the AppStore and then follow the link to [ www.ipassconnect.com ] to register for global Wi-Fi service at prices as low as $6.95 per month.
The iPassConnect mobility service incorporates more commercial Wi-Fi hotspot locations than any other Wi-Fi hotspot service*, including 47 of the world's top 50 airports (by passenger volume) and 450 airports in total, 22,000 leading hotels such as Hilton, Marriott and Holiday Inn, and more than 75,000 retail locations including Starbucks coffeehouses and McDonald's restaurants around the world.
Access to the world's largest Wi-Fi network enables subscribers of the iPassConnect service to benefit from fast, reliable and affordable connections that are critical for popular high-bandwidth applications and multimedia content such as streaming video or downloading music or TV programs.
The new service offers a number of benefits to iPhone users:
- Cost-savings from not having to purchase day passes or subscriptions from multiple hotspot vendors and from avoiding international 3G roaming fees that can run as high as $10 per megabyte.
- True broadband speeds – Wi-Fi hotspots provide up to 11 Mbps, more than five times faster than the best performance 3G offers. Also, true 3G coverage is mostly limited to urban centers; elsewhere users experience modem-like speeds.
- Access to the iTunes store and the ability to download large files, applications which are blocked over the 3G network.
- The simplicity of one-click access across hundreds of Wi-Fi providers and a single flat rate price.
According to market research firm The NPD Group, Apple's iPhone 3G became the leading handset purchased by adult consumers in the U.S. during Q3 2008. Apple announced in October that 6.9 million iPhones were sold during the quarter, and the company has already surpassed its goal of selling 10 million iPhones in 2008.
"The iPhone is the first smartphone to crack the code on user-friendly web browsing, but you often can't count on a broadband experience over the cellular data network, and you risk incurring hundreds of dollars of roaming charges when traveling abroad," said Joel Wachtler, vice president of marketing and strategy, iPass. "The iPassConnect mobility service gives users a simple way to access Wi-Fi hotspots wherever they go. It makes using iTunes, YouTube and other media-rich sites with the iPhone or iPod Touch enjoyable and affordable around the world. "
Individuals can subscribe to the iPassConnect mobility service at [ www.ipassconnect.com ]. iPass offers two service plans: an annual plan for $6.95 per month and a month-to-month plan costing $9.95 per month. The service requires the user to download the free iPassConnect mobility manager software from the AppStore using their iTunes software. The service is only available to residents of the U.S.
* Claim of largest service network based on public information available on competitive Wi-Fi hotspot service provider websites as of December 12, 2008.
About iPass Inc.
iPass helps enterprises unify the management of remote and mobile connectivity and devices. With iPass software and services, customers can create easy-to-use broadband solutions for their mobile workers, home offices, and branch and retail locations, complete with device management, security validation, and unified billing. iPass offerings are powered by its leading global virtual network, on-demand management platform, and award-winning client software. The iPass global virtual network unifies hundreds of wireless, broadband and dial-up providers in over 160 countries. Hundreds of Global 2000 companies rely on iPass services, including General Motors, Nokia, and Reuters. Founded in 1996, iPass is headquartered in Redwood Shores, Calif., with offices throughout North America, Europe and Asia.
iPass® is a registered trademark of iPass Inc.