GRIC Communications and SkyNetGlobal Form Strategic Alliance to Deliver Broadband Wireless Internet Roaming Access to Business Travelers in Asia and North America - Brief Article

Wireless Internet, July, 2001

GRIC Communications, a provider of Internet-based mobile office communications services, and SkyNetGlobal, an Australian broadband wireless service provider, announced the signing of a strategic agreement to deliver broadband wireless Internet roaming access to global business travelers.

As part of the agreement, customers of GRIC Alliance Network members - more than 300 of the world's top ISPs and telecommunications companies - will have wireless Internet access through SkyNetGlobal's points of presence in more than 40 existing sites in Australia and New Zealand, and another planned 60 sites in Asia.

The agreement also provides GRIC Alliance Network members with access to the sites of SkyNetGlobal's network partners, including more than 100 sites in North America. As part of the agreement, GRIC will obtain consulting services and broadband wireless network access from SkyNetGlobal, and in turn, SkyNetGlobal will obtain GRIC's dial-up Internet network access and a license to use GRIC's settlement software for its broadband wireless network. The two companies have also agreed to pursue joint marketing opportunities in Asia and elsewhere.

SkyNetGlobal has just completed Australia's largest 802.1l b wireless network, which connects to 30 airport lounges and 16 airports throughout Australia/New Zealand, as well as selected major hotels. GRIC recently announced that it is broadening the scope of the GRIC Alliance Network to include broadband wireless service providers. Through the alliance, global business travelers will benefit from instant, secure wireless access to the Internet and corporate networks at any wireless hotspot - such as an airport, hotel room, or convention center.