* iPass to offer EV-DO, satellite access alternatives
A number of very large enterprises buy network access services from an aggregator to get the largest possible network footprint, as well as associated device management, security services, and unified billing. Such enterprises will soon get additional mobile options from network services aggregator iPass.
The worldwide supplier of remote and mobile connectivity services said recently that this month, it would add CDMA EV-DO Rev A services in the U.S. and in China, Japan, and Singapore. The company said the 3G services, with upload speeds of 300Kbps to 400Kbps and download speeds of 450Kbps to 800Kbps, would be available initially among 20 major U.S. metro areas and would expand to cover 200 metro areas by year-end.
Meanwhile, adding still more mobile options for companies with users that roam to areas with poor Wi-Fi and cellular coverage, the company has struck a deal with satellite company INMARSAT to resell the company’s satellite services as part of its portfolio. INMARSAT’s Broadband Global Area Network (BGAN) reportedly covers 85% of the world’s land mass and 98% of the world’s population throughout the Americas, Europe, Middle East, Africa, India, and much of Asia and Western Australia.
IPass says it will add the satellite services, said to support Internet access, corporate VPN, and other IP data services at speeds to 492Kbps, to its portfolio in the second quarter. For satellite connectivity, users will need a special magazine-sized terminal device, which is reportedly easy to set up within a few minutes.
For large companies with nationwide and worldwide remote and mobile networking needs, turning to aggregators can be a streamlined way to get the widest possible coverage while having to manage a relationship with just one provider. Generally, purchasing a mish-mash of services, carrier by carrier, around the world can end up being more complex than most IT and telecommunications departments can handle.
