802.11b to Cellular Roaming Trials Begin

The roaming software developer, Green Packet and the San Francisco, USA based WiFi Metro are conducting field trials marrying cellular and WiFi Metro's 802.11b networks. The trial will take place in the San Francisco Bay Area over the next three months using GreenPacket's SONaccess IP mobility solution and the WiFi Metro network.

According to Arturo Pereyra, General Manager of WiFi Metro, "Seamless cellular and Wi-Fi roaming allows WiFi Metro to offer a new service to our customers and establishes WiFi Metro's leadership position among Wi-Fi services providers. This solution delivers an "always-on" connection that delivers on the promise of true mobile computing."

The core technology that enables seamless roaming between cellular and wireless is Green Packet's SONaccess IP mobility solution. WiFi Metro will integrate SONaccess routers and client software in its Bay Area "HotZones" to provide users uninterrupted connections to wireless networks. SONaccess consists of a set of carrier-grade IP routers and client software for wireless devices. In addition, data such as important alerts, always-on email, location-based offers, and value-added network services can be efficiently "pushed" and "pulled" via SONaccess technology.

WiFi Metro's HotZones, launched earlier this year, are located in the heart of downtown San Jose, and Palo Alto, California. Users can logon to the Internet wirelessly from their laptops or PDAs at speeds that are up to 200 times faster than dial-up access when they use the HotZone or any WiFi Metro location.

The field trial is expected to last ninety days and will create the opportunity for both WiFi Metro and Green Packet to study user patterns. The conclusion of the trial will include a commercial agreement between the partners. The SONaccess client software, SONmobile, is the only intelligent roaming client software currently available on the market for deployment on the Pocket PC 2002 devices.'"

Posted to the site on 29th May 2002