Gric Communications and iPass have significantly increased their global networks.
Each offers roaming services that allow users to dial local telephone numbers around the world to reach their ISP. The global roaming services eliminate the need for users to make long-distance calls to access their ISP when traveling abroad.
IPass, in Redwood Shores, Calif., says it has collocated its NetServer access point in 11,000 points-of-presence (POP) around the world. The company's network allows users to travel to 150 countries and use a local number to access the Internet.
Gric, in Milpitas, Calif., says it has collocated its remote access servers in 12,000 POPs around the world. Gric's recent expansion is based on two deals it signed with ISPs Genuity and StarNet whereby Gric is using 1,000 Genuity POPs and 1,100 StarNet POPs to offer local dial-up support to users. The company offers local dialing in 150 countries.
Gric provides an ISP locator list on its Web site (www.gric.com/zone/isplocator) that makes it easy for travelers to determine the best ISP to use to access their primary ISP's network.
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Denise Pappalardo is a senior editor for Network World, covering ISPs, VPNs and related topics. Reach her at denisep@nww.com.
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