Canadian Network Tests WLAN Service

Mobility Network Systems and Canada's Rogers AT&T Wireless have successfully demonstrated Mobility Networks' WiFiRAN technology integration into the Rogers AT&T Wireless' GSM network. Mobility Networks' technology allows mobile operators to offer wireless LAN services without making any changes to their existing GPRS network. Mobile operators are able to leverage current investments in their infrastructures to offer authentication, charging/billing and security to the public wireless LAN network.

"Mobility Networks' products enable us to leverage our recent investments in GPRS systems to offer multi-access solutions, which is in this case, roaming between GPRS and WLAN," said Bob Berner, executive vice-president and chief technical officer at Rogers AT&T Wireless. "This is a new step in wireless data -- providing datacom services which are easy to offer, while still maintaining telecom reliability. This rapid and successful integration, almost unheard of in the telecom arena, was a result of the innovative approach of Mobility Networks, in conjunction with careful joint planning by Rogers AT&T Wireless and Mobility Networks engineers."

Several mobile operators have recently announced plans to incorporate wireless LAN solutions into their offerings. However, solutions that are currently available offer the wireless LAN as a stand-alone system, making it difficult for mobile operators to combine it with their existing services or requiring investment and roll-out in additional networks and systems.

"The biggest barrier to any new product adoption in the wireless industry is the ease of implementation by network operators and the ease of use by the subscriber," said Bill Howe, president and CEO of Mobility Networks. "With our expertise of GSM/GPRS systems and IP Networking, we are able to leverage a mobile operator's, such as Rogers AT&T Wireless', large existing investments in packet data solutions and subscriber management systems to offer a simple, secure wireless LAN solution that easily integrates with their current GPRS network and offers a quick and simple user experience."'"

Posted to the site on 6th August 2002