Wi-Fi access provider iPass Inc. has tightened its grip on the business traveler market with a newly announced partnership with Connexion by Boeing that will give iPass enterprise customers access to high-speed Internet connectivity while in flight.
The agreement allows iPass users to access Connexion by Boeing’s mobile Internet service through the iPass Global Broadband Roaming network.
“Wi-Fi, for business travelers, will rival extra legroom as a `must have’ airline amenity,” said John Yunker, an analyst with Byte Level Research.
“Users of this service will no longer have to wait the length of their flight-a full business day-for the vital business information that can help win that important deal or address a critical business issue,” added Anurag Lal, vice president of business development at iPass. “The iPass and Connexion relationship brings the industry closer to the ultimate goal of anywhere, anytime secure connectivity.”
Wireless systems infrastructure company Vivato also made two significant Wi-Fi deployment announcements that further the technology’s reach.
The company said Columbia Energy L.L.C., a subsidiary of Columbia Rural Electric Association, will offer wireless broadband Internet access to its agriculture and utility customers in Walla Walla, Columbia and Umatilla counties in rural Washington, where broadband Internet access is not available today.
For the deal, the energy cooperative has deployed six Vivato 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi base stations and several Vivato micro and pico cells throughout the counties.
“Broadband access in rural communities is analogous to Roosevelt’s New Deal in 1935 that pushed electricity to rural America,” said Jim Sueuga, manager of marketing and member services at Columbia REA. “Rural electric utilities view technology as the Holy Grail of agriculture.”
Meantime, across the U.S., Vivato announced the home of the Tampa Bay Lightning, the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa, Fla., will deploy a high-speed wireless network powered by Vivato.
The network will use two Vivato base stations and eight pico cells to cover the 660,000 square foot, seven-level facility.
“We have transformed the St. Pete Times Forum from a hot spot into a hot zone,” said David Everett, vice president of MIS for the facility. “From our most loyal Lightning fan to a business executive hosting an important meeting, we are enhancing the fan experience by providing constant high-speed Internet access anywhere spectators roam in the Forum.”
The service initially will be free to anyone with a Wi-Fi enabled mobile device, but eventually the Forum plans to charge for it, possibly as part of ticket packages or from kiosks throughout the facility.
Several other recent deployments of free public Wi-Fi networks indicate the technology is becoming an expected utility rather than a luxury amenity.
Last week’s grand opening of the Best Western San Juan Airport Hotel, for example, which marked the opening of the first public location to provide free Wi-Fi service in Luis Munoz Marin Airport, created buzz in Puerto Rico. A Wi-Fi system there will enable free wireless Internet access for hotel guests and airport travelers in the hotel’s lounge.
In addition, Firetide Inc. and Wireless Hotspot Inc. announced a free citywide wireless Internet access network in Culver City, Calif., that offers visitors to the downtown business district free access to the Internet via any Wi-Fi enabled device.
“As a hub of the entertainment industry and home to many creative personnel, we want to offer downtown guests wireless access to the Internet for free while enjoying our retail stores, restaurants and outdoor areas,” said John Richo, the city’s director of information technology.
The city’s mesh network will be considered for other services, like wireless video surveillance, in the future.
Marking another Wi-Fi network deployment, Sprint Corp. last week said it has implemented a private Wi-Fi network covering more than 1 million square feet at the University of California-Davis Health System Medical Center in Sacramento, Calif.
The deployment, which includes Cisco Aironet Access Points, is designed to enhance the facilities’ wireless voice communication system using a Vocera Communications System Voice over Internet Protocol solution. The system consists of a software application and a voice-controlled badge that allows hands-free communications between staff members.
Sprint added that such networks could also be used for other advanced voice and data solutions, including the alignment of voicemail, integration of the nurse call and alarm notification system, electronic medical record sharing and providing or authorizing patient orders through multiple wireless devices.
On the device side, PalmOne Inc. introduced a Wi-Fi card for use with its Zire 72 and Tungsten T3 handhelds to enhance the integrated Bluetooth technology solution already featured on the devices.
PalmOne’s Tungsten C handheld device already includes built-in Wi-Fi capabilities.
The new Wi-Fi card, expected to be available in September, will retail for $129.
“With the expansion of hot spots and Wi-Fi networks in homes and in businesses, we felt it was important to offer our mobile handheld users another compelling Wi-Fi solution,” said Jim Schwabe, general manager of PalmOne accessories. “Our accessories business looks for opportunities to enable our users with new, innovative solutions that will make a difference at work and at home.”
