Monday, March 26th, 2012
Karen Ambrose Hickey, Editor
I wanted to share this article in which Marcio Avillez, Vice President of Network Services, gives clarity to the current industry discussion on Wi-Fi roaming. As the article title says, there are many opportunities and challenges, however, our work with the GSMA and WBA Alliance is geared towards solving these issues.
Mobile to WiFi roaming – threats and opportunities (Mobile Europe)
With so many devices now emerging with embedded Wi-Fi and the proliferation of apps and video, consumers have been underserved. The GSMA/WBAlliance announcement on their roaming initiative provides an easier, more secure experience for the end user.
“As for how mobile operators will benefit, [members] agree that the core initial use case will be for domestic data offload – attaching mobile users automatically to available WiFi networks with any billing or charging aspects taken care of in the background.”
Marcio also added: “The challenge on the mobile operator side is how to take that technology solution and take it to market. A lot has been written about taking the friction out of WiFi authentication but, of course, sometimes having friction is a good thing. I think operators need to be able to provide the seamless experience where it makes sense – as in domestic data offload – but there are use cases where you would want to make the user more aware of what’s going on.”
The article continues: “That includes international roaming, of course, but also a use case such as where a customer has a WiFi subscription as part of his fixed line home broadband deal, but also has a separate contract with a mobile operator who may be attaching the subscriber automatically to its preferred networks. Does the user, the fixed line provider, or the mobile operator decide which networks to attach to, and when? Or do the fixed line and mobile provider take care of that in a separate commercial relationship.”
For more details on what needs to be done, read the article.
Read the recent GSMA/WBAlliance press release: GSMA And WBA Collaborate to Simplify Wi-fi Hotspot Access for Smartphones and Tablets
Mobile to Wi-Fi roaming: focus on the user >>
Tuesday, February 21st, 2012
Karen Ambrose Hickey, Editor
GigaOM called it: Ericsson to buy BelAir Networks.
But I find one of their comments most telling:
“… moving from one hot spot to another is seamless and doesn’t require another sign on.”
Make it about getting the user connected and productive. Because being online, is productive.
“..This deal was all about Wi-Fi and the changing needs of the mobile operator. Wi-Fi offload has been a big trend in the last two years as operators try to defuse the data demands of their customers by shunting packets over to in-home, corporate or campus Wi-Fi networks. However, cellular operators have also been reluctant to give up control…”
“BelAir also has IP related to its equipment that makes it less obtrusive and can also create a larger Wi-Fi mesh network that more closely resembles a carrier’s cellular network. On a BelAir network it’s possible to configure it so moving from one hot spot to another is seamless and doesn’t require another sign on.”
From Kevin Fitchard’s earlier exclusive article:
“As smartphone data usage explodes, consumers have begun turning to home, office and public Wi-Fi to bring their handsets online, taking advantage of fast speeds while bypassing the data caps on their mobile plans. There are some exceptions, such as AT&T, but most U.S. mobile operators have been reluctant to incorporate Wi-Fi directly into their networks, preferring instead to keep customers on their 3G and 4G networks, where they can collect data revenues and maintain control of the network connection.”
Seamless connectivity is becoming more possible.
Ericsson getting on the Wi-Fi bandwagon >>
Wednesday, February 15th, 2012
Karen Ambrose Hickey, Editor
China Telecom will leverage the iPass Mobile Network for their subscribers traveling internationally.
Subscribers will seamlessly connect to the world’s largest commercial Wi-Fi network for a better roaming experience. Using our iPass OMX service, network operators can aquire and exchange Wi-Fi traffic to meet the demand of traveling customers. More often Wi-Fi is faster and cheaper.
A single interface connects 140 Wi-Fi network operators and over 680,000 hotspots with certified WISPr interoperability in 117 countries and territories worldwide. The growth in the network increases in importance as the growth and demand of more mobile devices increases as well.
Read the press release >>
Read more about our iPass OMX services >>
China Telecom to provide Wi-Fi roaming exchange >>
Tuesday, January 24th, 2012
John Gallagher, Sr. Public Relations Manager
Conference season is already upon us and between now and June, crowds of business travelers will gather at major conference centers worldwide.
To ensure iPass customers can get connected at more places, we’ve extended our partnership with iBahn, one of our global hospitality technology partners.
While the summer interrupts the conference season, part two of the conference season kicks off in September as budgets need to be spent and products purchased. As our blog yesterday illuminated, the iPass Mobile Network is continuing to grow rapidly including coverage in more conference facilities. So if you plan to visit any of the following hotels in Europe, you can seamlessly logon if you’re with iPass thanks to our iBahn partnership.
A few of the choices in London are: Grosvenor House JW Marriott, Hilton London Metropole, The Dorchester on Park Lane (and you can always eat at the Grill) or in Paris, just 10 minutes’ walk from the Champs-Élysées is the Hilton Paris Arc De Triomphe, or the Marriott Rive Gauche.
In Berlin there’s always the Marriott Berlin close to the historic Brandenburg Gate and Check Point Charlie or if you’re in Amsterdam you can always stay at the Marriott Amsterdam, just across from the across from the Leidseplein square in central Amsterdam
iPass Mobile Network grows coverage in European Conference Centers >>
Wednesday, December 7th, 2011
John Gallagher, Sr. Public Relations Manager
LTE iPhone October 2012 or June 2013? Hedge your bets.
Over the last 18 months RCR Wireless – a US news publication that has been providing wireless and mobile industry news since ’82 – been holding a series of small conferences that attract both large and small industry players who are causing disruption in the market. RCR Wireless publisher, Jeff Mucci, oversaw yesterday’s conference in San Francisco that saw extended debate on the topic of Wi-Fi and LTE and what many said in the conference was a “symbiotic relationship.”
Barbara Nelson, CTO of iPass talked about whether 4G was enough and the relationship with Wi-Fi (more on this and slides below).
(more…)
RCR Wireless conference: hedge your bets on LTE iPhone >>
