Around the world on a local call

The global Internet access roaming service provider iPass is now working with 170 ISPs around the world to offer business users local dial access to the Internet.

There are 14,000 iPass points-of-presence in 150 countries where business users can dial a local number to access the Internet regardless if they are 3 or 3,000 miles from home.

The idea is users do not need to make a long distance or international call in order to access their ISP's network when on the road. And while most ISPs offer a toll-free numbers, users are typically billed costly per minute rates when they use these seemingly "free" numbers.

Earlier this month iPass expanded its network reach by teaming up with Chinese service provider Jitong Network Communications to support iPass global roaming customers over its network, in addition to selling iPass services to Jitong users. Jitong is specifically offering its customers iPass IP VPN services throughout China. It is also one of five service providers in China that is licensed by the government to offer commercial IP voice and data services.

The iPass consortium consists of ISPs around the globe including some well-known ones such as Genuity, Equant, Sprint, Cable & Wireless, Level 3 and UUNET.

IPass is of course not the only service provider offering business users global roaming service. Gric Communications also offers local dial Internet access in 150 countries.

Gric, which works with 300 ISPs around the world, earlier this year expanded its network throughout Latin America. The company inked a deal with IFX Networks, which offers IP services in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Uruguay and Venezuela.

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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