Wi-Fi hot spot deal targets the Wi-Fi-first business user
The race to provide ubiquitous connectivity to data-hungry users regardless of location continues with the two largest Wi-Fi hot spot network providers announcing a partnership to expand the global footprint.
Network provider iPass on Nov. 2 announced a deal with Fon; iPass customers now have access to Fon’s network of 9 million Wi-Fi hot spots, which means the iPass network will encompass 50 million Wi-Fi hot spots worldwide by the end of 2015.
The two companies are still working on an arrangement that will let Fon customers use the larger iPass network.
Patricia Hume, chief commercial officer at iPass, said the Fon deal furthers the company’s goal of providing “Wi-Fi that is unlimited, everywhere and invisible. I’m really excited about partnering with Fon as it supports this vision through significantly increasing our Wi-Fi hot spot footprint globally. When I came on board back in February, we stated we wanted to double the size of our network by the end of the year, and this partnership goes a long way to supporting this goal. Our unlimited global Wi-Fi network is ideally suited to today’s Wi-Fi-first business user, and the addition of these new hot spots means they can get online in more locations than ever before.”
Founded in 2006 by Martin Varsavsky, Fon has more than 17 million hot spots in its global network.
“We are pleased to partner with iPass in providing unlimited connectivity to its enterprise customers,” Carleen Chou, head of business development and sales for Fon, said. “We are also very excited about working toward adding access to premium locations for members of our Fon community. We believe that our two companies have a very complementary set of customers and networks, and are working together to provide easy, ubiquitous and affordable Wi-Fi access to the world.”
