REDWOOD SHORES, CA--(Marketwired - May 7, 2013) - [ iPass Inc. ] (NASDAQ: [ IPAS ]), a leading provider of mobile services for [ enterprises ] and [ telecom service providers ], today announced its partnership with Accuris Networks, an innovator in Wi-Fi roaming, to deliver a solution for a seamless and secure device-based Authentication, Authorization and Accounting (AAA) for Wi-Fi roaming on both Android and iOS platforms. Together, iPass and Accuris have created a solution that enables Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to merge Wi-Fi and cellular network access into a single retail offer.

The solution provides a 'cellular-like' user experience across today's WISPr networks by automatically generating and mapping Wi-Fi credentials for subscribed devices from the mobile identity that defines the User Equipment in an operator's network. The solution is delivered via interconnect with the iPass Services Fabric using 3GPP/3GPP2 standard interfaces, freeing operators from the need to deploy new infrastructure and the cumbersome task of managing usernames and passwords for their Wi-Fi subscribers.

"The iPass/Accuris device-based AAA solution removes the operational challenges of merging Wi-Fi and cellular services together," said Marcio Avillez, vice president of network services, iPass. "Until now, MNOs could not authenticate Wi-Fi access at the device level, because the majority of Wi-Fi networks only supported WISPr v1.0, and this required authentication to be performed via RADIUS username and password. While 802.1x / EAP authentication, including EAP-SIM/AKA is growing and is supported by the service, its use in Wi-Fi roaming is still limited. Achieving market success requires a solution that will span multiple generations of Wi-Fi networks, leveraging the world's current supply. By partnering with Accuris, we have created a solution to allow users to roam onto legacy Wi-Fi networks, helping to make Wi-Fi roaming widely available and relevant to the subscriber."

"Our solution is ideal for bundling Wi-Fi with cellular data roaming plans to drive down International Operator Tariffs (IOT) costs," said Aidan Dillion, chief technology officer, Accuris Networks. "The partnership with iPass drastically expedites speed-to-market for MNOs by using existing systems, processes and personnel. A mobile device identifier, not a person or user, remains the common element to provisioning, authorizing and charging for services."

The ultimate goal of launching an International Wi-Fi Roaming service is to facilitate access to as broad and meaningful a footprint of Wi-Fi hotspots as possible, in as many foreign locations as possible, in a simple and easy-to-use manner while ensuring a positive experience for their subscribers. The iPass/Accuris solution now makes that goal achievable with device-based AAA services.

[ About iPass OMX ]
iPass Open Mobile Exchange (OMX) is the world's largest commercial [ Wi-Fi roaming ] and exchange platform for Communication Service Providers (CSPs). Through a single interface, iPass OMX connects more than 150 unique Wi-Fi networks representing over 1.2 million commercial Wi-Fi venues with certified WISPr interoperability across 123 countries and territories worldwide.

[ About Accuris Networks ]
Accuris Networks is a leading provider of convergence, roaming and interworking solutions with respective device management. The AccuROAM platform is designed to provide mobile operators with a Wi-Fi offload and Wi-Fi roaming solution, which includes smartphone client software, access server/gateway technology and billing integration designed to provide a seamless and secure user experience for data, voice and messaging services. For more information, visit Accuris Networks at [ www.accuris-networks.com ].

[ About iPass Inc. ]
iPass helps [ enterprises ] and [ telecom service providers ] ensure their employees and subscribers stay well connected. Founded in 1996, iPass (NASDAQ: [ IPAS ]) delivers the world's largest commercial-grade [ Wi-Fi network ] and trusted connectivity platform. With more than 1.2 million Wi-Fi hotspots across 123 countries and territories, iPass gives its customers always-on, frictionless connectivity for smartphones, tablets and laptops anywhere in the world -- simply, securely and cost-effectively. Additional information is available at [ www.iPass.com ] or on [ Smarter Connections ], the iPass blog.

iPass® is a registered trademark and Open Mobile Exchange is a trademark of iPass Inc. Wi-Fi^® is a registered trademark of the WiFi Alliance. All other trademarks are owned by their respective owners.