Business Services Industry

Boingo and Kineto Wireless Partner to Extend UMA Service to Global Wi-Fi Hotspots; Through This Agreement, Operators Can Extend the Reach of UMA Service to Boingo's Network of 30,000 Wi-Fi Hotspots Around the World

Business Wire, April 5, 2006

LAS VEGAS -- Kineto Wireless, the key innovator and leading global supplier of Unlicensed Mobile Access (UMA) technology, and Boingo Wireless, the world's leading Wi-Fi network aggregator, today announced an agreement in which the companies are working together to ensure full interoperability between Boingo's Wi-Fi toolkit for mobile handsets and Kineto Wireless' UMA system.

Initially targeted for UMA-enabled Windows Mobile 5-based devices, the interoperability between Boingo and Kineto's solution will result in mobile and integrated operators being able to seamlessly extend mobile voice, data, and IMS services to their customers via the Boingo(R) Roaming System at over 30,000 unique hot spot locations globally. As a UMA-enabled handset identifies an access point, the mobile device will query the Boingo client to determine if it is supported within the Boingo Roaming System. If so, the handset will then automatically connect to the access point and initiate UMA service delivery. The combined solution will further enable operators to extend access to low-cost, high-quality voice and packet services in the places subscribers need it most -- their homes, offices, and when they travel.

"People tend to view UMA as delivering on improved wireless coverage and economics in the home," said Peter Jarich, principal analyst with Current Analysis. "Kineto and Boingo teaming to deliver this solution signals that UMA is about much more than that, while also highlighting the growing importance of mobile and Wi-Fi convergence and, ultimately, delivering added value to Boingo partners."

"As the UMA market pioneer, Kineto is a key partner for Boingo in delivering a complete solution to wireless operators around the world," said Colby Goff, Boingo's senior vice president of network strategy and business development. "Operators can now quickly and easily extend the reach of UMA services beyond the home and office to include the global coverage of Boingo's 30,000 plus access points."

"Boingo brings access to the largest aggregated public network of Wi-Fi hotspots, which is highly desirable for operators looking to expand UMA service delivery," said Ken Kolderup, vice president of marketing for Kineto Wireless. "Combining core UMA technologies from Kineto with global Wi-Fi access from Boingo creates a win-win for both companies' customers."

About UMA Technology

Unlicensed Mobile Access (UMA) technology is the 3GPP standard for mobile/Wi-Fi convergence. UMA Technology enables access to mobile voice, data and IMS services over IP broadband access and unlicensed spectrum technologies, such as Wi-Fi. By deploying UMA technology, service providers can enable subscribers to roam and handover between cellular networks and public and private WLANs using dual-mode mobile handsets. With UMA, subscribers receive a consistent user experience for their mobile voice, data and IMS services as they transition between networks. The specifications are available for download at the UMA Technology web site (www.umatechnology.org) as well as the 3GPP web site (www.3gpp.org).

30,581 Reasons to Use Boingo

The Boingo Roaming System gives business travelers the best choice of Wi-Fi hot spots by combining 30,000 locations from more than 130 leading Wi-Fi operators into one worldwide network. The Boingo software solution, which combines more than 450 network names into one virtual Wi-Fi network to simplify identifying and connecting to commercial Wi-Fi networks, enables users to login to any Boingo roaming location with a single account.

Boingo also partners with service providers to allow their users to access these hot spots through its Boingo Platform Services program. The program provides partners with access to this network, customized client software, and a full suite of back-office billing, roaming, mediation and clearinghouse services to allow them to offer their own Wi-Fi service quickly and cost effectively. To date, Boingo has announced Platform Services partnerships with BT Infonet, Earthlink, Fiberlink, Sprint, Verizon Business, Skype and Telecom Italia.

About Boingo Wireless

Boingo Wireless, Inc. is an ultra-high-speed wireless Internet service available in tens of thousands of locations such as hotels, airports, cafes and other public places in dozens of countries throughout the world. The Boingo Roaming System comprises hundreds of Wi-Fi network operators, which are accessible through Boingo's connection software for laptops, PDAs, dual-mode phones and other embedded devices. The software -- available in SDK and white label GUI versions -- makes finding and connecting to Wi-Fi networks point-and-click simple, improving productivity for people on the go by enabling their device of choice for Wi-Fi roaming authentication. With the largest aggregated Wi-Fi network in the world, coupled with best-in-class software solutions for both laptops and portable devices, Boingo helps carriers and ISPs keep their customers connected with a high-quality broadband wireless connection. More information about Boingo is available at http://www.boingo.com.

 

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