Fixed Wireless Equipment

Let Pronto and iPass Manage Your Wi-Fi

Pronto Networks and hotspot provider iPass have signed an agreement to sell iPass compliant hotspots to service providers and to outsource billing for the hotspots to Pronto Networks.

by Wayne Kawamoto [August 15, 2002]

Pronto Networks, a developer of wireless infrastructure solutions that has no relationship with SBC, announced two strategic agreements with iPass to integrate broadband wireless "hot spot" locations based on Pronto Network's technology into the iPass Global Broadband Roaming (GBR) service.

The first agreement allows iPass users to gain Internet access at Wi-Fi locations managed by local and regional service providers but operated by Pronto Networks. Pronto Networks provides back-office operations, such as billing and service plan management, to wireless Internet service providers (WISPs). This aggregation agreement with iPass will enable iPass to extend its roaming services across multiple Pronto-operated Wi-Fi networks.

Through a second agreement, service providers preferring to run back-office operations for their hot spots can buy Pronto's iPass-compliant hot spot system from Pronto. Pronto's Hotspot Networking System will be technically integrated with iPass' Smart Client and RADIUS Interfaces, and should allow for seamless roaming between the two systems.

The Pronto-enabled locations will join over 400 domestic U.S. and international Wi-Fi hotspot locations currently available in the iPass GBR service, including airports in Austin, Tex. (AUS), Dallas/Ft. Worth, Tex. (DFW), Minneapolis, Minn. (MSP), San Jose, Calif. (SJC), and Seattle, Wash. (SEA). The GBR service also provides over 100,000 wireline broadband access points in hotels.

"For ISPs who already provide local loop backhaul connectivity to property owners, hot spot services is a natural extension," said Jasbir Singh, CEO and co-founder of Pronto Networks. "Our solution enables service providers to generate new revenue by providing new services to their existing customer base, all in a 'pay-as-you-grow' model."

Pricing
Hotspot Managed Services cost $599 per Hotspot Controller.

Ongoing costs include a 25 percent revenue share (Pronto handles all credit card processing, billing issues, and roaming clearinghouse functions between roaming partners as part of the 25 percent fee) and a $10 per month maintenance fee per Hotspot Controller.

—End