enterprise mobility, today announced a partnership agreement with 3 Scandinavia, part of the Hutchison Whampoa 3 Group of companies, that will provide iPass customers with access to their award-winning 3G network in Sweden - including mobile data in-bundle roaming into Denmark. 3 Scandinavia is a joint venture between Hutchison Whampoa and Investor. 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.

The iPass Mobile Office service helps companies overcome the significant challenge of cost-effectively using and managing global remote connectivity. 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, with excellent coverage in major business hubs such as Stockholm, Gothenburg and Copenhagen. When they travel out of region they will benefit from iPass’ leading global virtual network, taking advantage of enterprise flat rate pricing to gain critical cost control over mobility expenses.

Sweden and Denmark already boast nearly 4,000 iPass Wi-Fi hotspots. The most recent iPass Mobile Broadband Index⁽¹⁾ 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 award-winning 3 network will be integrated into the iPass platform, including client software, management portal and billing systems. For several subsequent years, the network has been named best network in Sweden by several local magazines. 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.”

“Mobile broadband is really taking off, and we’re seeing more corporations starting to offer 3G data access to their employees,” said Nicholas Högberg, deputy CEO from 3 Scandinavia. “We are excited to be partnering with an enterprise mobility leader like iPass, which understands and addresses the complex needs of multinationals in Scandinavia, and around the world.”

⁽¹⁾ www.ipass.com/mobileindex

About iPass Inc.

iPass helps enterprises unify the management of remote and mobile connectivity and devices. With iPass software and services, customers can create easy-to-use broadband solutions for their mobile workers, home offices, and branch and retail locations, complete with device management, security validation, and unified billing. iPass offerings are powered by its leading global virtual network, on-demand management platform, and award-winning client software. The iPass global virtual network unifies hundreds of wireless, broadband and dial-up providers in over 160 countries. iPass customers include General Motors, Nokia, and Reuters. Founded in 1996, iPass is headquartered in Redwood Shores, California, with offices throughout North America, Europe and Asia.


Information Source:    Business Wire