Into the Great Wide Open

Why the opening of wireless networks will help iPass deliver greater capabilities to customers.

May 8th marked a tectonic shift in the U.S. wireless landscape. Sprint Nextel and Clearwire announced a plan to merge their spectrum and network assets to jointly launch a nationwide mobile WiMAX network. Other investors in the new venture include Intel Capital, Google, Comcast, Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks.

If you listened closely to the flurry of announcements, you may have heard the groan of long-closed gates slowly creaking open.

As the new Clearwire buildout proceeds, Verizon, AT&T and other established 3G operators will face a new competitor with much faster transmission speeds and much more available spectrum. What's more, Sprint has indicated that the new network will operate on an "open access" basis: Any user with a compatible device will be welcome to connect.

Almost certainly, the result will be a burst of innovation. Device, software and service developers will flock to the platform, seizing the opportunity to create new products and services for an ultra-fast environment that can be accessed without having to first negotiate an exclusive carrier contract.

Another result, perhaps slower to develop but equally certain, will be the demise of the ruling "walled garden" wireless network business model. Incumbent operators will inevitably open their networks in order to compete with the new Clearwire, giving consumers and developers an increasingly borderless network landscape. Proprietary access technologies and device support restrictions will become unlamented things of the past.

This will be an ideal environment for iPass. As a long-time champion of open access and with a technology-agnostic approach to mobility, iPass can use its flexible software-based platform to extend its services more deeply into wireless broadband to the benefit of our customers.

Opening Up New Usage Models: Wi-Fi over Handhelds
One impact of a more open network environment will be new applications for dual-mode handheld devices, particularly devices that support both 3G and Wi-Fi connectivity.

These devices will leverage faster connections for better performance with Web browsing, rich media applications and other data services. They will greatly extend the users' broadband service coverage, eliminate 3G data roaming charges and ensure full functionality even for international travelers.

iPass is supporting dual mode 3G/Wi-Fi smartphone users with a growing portfolio of new products and services. Over the past two months we've added support for Windows Mobile 6 to our ongoing support for Symbian OS and Windows Mobile 5. We have also announced our intent to bring iPhone, iPod and Blackberry devices into the fold.

We have made the Windows Mobile 6 support available to individuals via our iPassConnect™ mobility service for individuals, so that mobile workers without an employer-sponsored iPass service can also experience the benefits of unified mobility.

Finally, we've added a version of our hotspot finder that can be accessed via a smartphone browser.

We are also greatly increasing the available locations where these handhelds can use Wi-Fi. iPass just became the first provider to pass the 100,000 hotspot milestone, bringing more than half of all the world's commercial hotspots within our network. These business-class locations include more than 550 unique airports, 23,000 hotels, 70,000 retail locations and 668 convention centers worldwide.

Later this year, iPass users will be able to use their handheld in-flight via our partnership with Aircell, which is equipping American Airlines and Virgin America flights with Wi-Fi.

Open to Choice means Open for Business
In the end, the opening of the wireless network marketplace will encourage competition and innovation which is good for all mobile customers. It will give businesses exciting new applications and services that leverage video, GPS and social networking—all with a mobile twist.

iPass will remain squarely in the middle, integrating and unifying innovative new services and technologies into a simple, global and cost-effective solution—open to all.