IPass Mobile Broadband Network Expands to Scandinavia

Published on: 4th November 2008

Wi-Fi roaming provider, iPass announced a partnership agreement with 3 Scandinavia, part of the Hutchison Whampoa 3 Group of companies, which will provide iPass customers with access to its 3G network in Sweden - including mobile data in-bundle roaming into Denmark. Under the terms of the agreement, iPass will integrate 3's HSDPA and HSUPA network into its iPass Mobile Office service, which unifies remote and mobile connectivity across more than 160 countries.

Once 3's network is integrated, iPass users in Scandinavia will be able to get quick, easy and secure connections to corporate resources through a variety of technologies including Wi-Fi hotspots, hotel Ethernet, dial-up and now 3G.

Sweden and Denmark already boast nearly 4,000 iPass Wi-Fi hotspots. The most recent iPass Mobile Broadband Index revealed that Sweden saw 82 percent growth in user sessions from H1 2007 to H1 2008, and was the ranked 11th in the world in terms of Wi-Fi use. Denmark has also consistently ranked as one of the world's top 20 countries for use of hotspots. The addition of 3G mobile broadband gives these connectivity-hungry business users another option for connecting to corporate resources.

The 3G network will be integrated into the iPass platform, including client software, management portal and billing systems. Multiple types of mobile broadband adapters, including USB and PCMCIA, will be supported at service launch, which iPass plans for by the end of 2008.

"Scandinavia is well known for embracing mobile technology. We are delighted to extend our partnership with 3 Scandinavia into the Nordic region as we continue to build a unified mobility footprint," said Joel Wachtler, vice-president of marketing and strategy at iPass. "As 3G networks evolve towards true broadband speeds, enterprises require solutions such as iPass Mobile Office that unify multiple technologies and numerous providers on a global basis in order to efficiently and affordably make the mobile workforce productive."

3 Scandinavia is a joint venture between Hutchison Whampoa and Investor AB.

 

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