iPass, Inc, , announced a roaming partner agreement with Aircell, provider of airborne
communications, that will allow iPass enterprise users or individual
subscribers to connect over Aircell hotspots on commercial aircraft in
flight.
Using the iPassConnect mobility manager
software on their laptop or smartphone, iPass customers will have
one-click access to the Aircell Gogo network.
This news marks Aircell's first roaming
partner agreement and effectively bridges a significant gap in
nationwide connectivity for iPass' 1,000,000
quarterly users at more than 3,500 companies.
The Aircell Gogo network joins the iPass global virtual wireless
broadband network, which includes more than 100,000 business-grade
broadband locations (Wi-Fi hotspots and hotel Ethernet), as well as 3G
mobile broadband in the U.S., Europe and Asia, and dial-up in more than
160 countries. Pending the necessary integration steps, iPass expects to
make the service available to iPass customers later this year.
"Mobile workers have become accustomed to
high-speed Internet access at home, in hotels and airports, and even in
the car, but when they get on planes they have been unable to
communicate," said Michael Moore,
vice-president of business development, iPass. "Our
partnership brings together the new Gogo service with iPass'
ability to integrate connectivity with mobility management. Our
enterprise customers will be able to keep their employees productive but
maintain the necessary policies they need to support their business."
"This strategic partnership gives Aircell
partnered airlines an additional competitive advantage in terms of
inflight customer service," said Robin Salem,
senior vice president, strategy and business development at Aircell. "More
than 1 million quarterly iPass users will have the ability to integrate
their on-the-ground and Inflight Internet experiences on Gogo serviced
flights, avoiding several steps between 'fasten
your seatbelts' and 'going
online,'"
continued Salem.
Gogo Inflight Internet turns a commercial airplane into a Wi-Fi hotspot,
enabling passengers with laptop computers and smartphones to surf the
Web, check any e-mail, log on to their corporate VPN and more. Plus,
each paid Internet session includes access to The Wall Street Journal®
Online. Gogo, powered by Aircell, will be available on American Airlines®,
Virgin America® and
other airlines later in 2008. The system is designed to provide full
data service - voice calls with cell phones
and Voice Over IP (Internet Protocol) services will not be available.
For more information about Gogo, please visit www.gogoinflight.com.