iPass Announces Partnership with Accuris Networks to Deliver Device-Based AAA on Wi-Fi Networks

May 23, 2013 - PRLog -- REDWOOD SHORES, Calif., May 7, 2013: iPass Inc. (http://www.ipass.com/) , a leading provider of mobile services for enterprises (http://www.ipass.com/solutions/open-mobile/) and telecom service providers (http://www.ipass.com/open-mobile-exchange/), today announced its partnership with Accuris Networks, an innovator in Wi-Fi roaming, to deliver a solution for a seamless and secure device-based Authentication, Authorization and Accounting (AAA) for Wi-Fi roaming on both Android and iOS platforms. Together, iPass and Accuris have created a solution that enables Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to merge Wi-Fi and cellular network access into a single retail offer.

The solution provides a ‘cellular-like’ user experience across today’s WISPr networks by automatically generating and mapping Wi-Fi credentials for subscribed devices from the mobile identity that defines the User Equipment in an operator’s network. The solution is delivered via interconnect with the iPass Services Fabric using  3GPP/3GPP2 standard interfaces, freeing operators from the need to deploy new infrastructure and the cumbersome task of managing usernames and passwords for their Wi-Fi subscribers.

“The iPass/Accuris device-based AAA solution removes the operational challenges of merging Wi-Fi and cellular services together,” said Marcio Avillez, vice president of network services, iPass. ‘Until now, MNOs could not authenticate Wi-Fi access at the device level, because the majority of Wi-Fi networks only supported WISPr v1.0, and this required authentication to be performed via RADIUS username and password. While 802.1x / EAP authentication, including EAP-SIM/AKA is growing and is supported by the service, its use in Wi-Fi roaming is still limited.   Achieving market success requires a solution that will span multiple generations of Wi-Fi networks, leveraging the world’s current supply. By partnering with Accuris, we have created a solution to allow users to roam onto legacy Wi-Fi networks, helping to make Wi-Fi roaming widely available and relevant to the subscriber.”

“Our solution is ideal for bundling Wi-Fi with cellular data roaming plans to drive down International Operator Tariffs (IOT) costs,” said Aidan Dillion, chief technology officer, Accuris Networks. “The partnership with iPass drastically expedites speed-to-market for MNOs by using existing systems, processes and personnel. A mobile device identifier, not a person or user, remains the common element to provisioning, authorizing and charging for services.”

The ultimate goal of launching an International Wi-Fi Roaming service is to facilitate access to as broad and meaningful a footprint of Wi-Fi hotspots in as possible, in as many foreign locations as possible, in a simple and easy-to-use manner while ensuring a positive experience for their subscribers. The iPass/Accuris solution now makes that goal achievable with device-based AAA services.

About iPass OMX (http://www.ipass.com/solutions/open-mobile-exchange/wi-fi...)

iPass Open Mobile Exchange (OMX) is the world's largest commercial Wi-Fi roaming (http://www.ipass.com/solutions/open-mobile-exchange/wi-fi-exchange/) and exchange platform for Communication Service Providers (CSPs). Through a single interface, iPass OMX connects more than 150 unique Wi-Fi networks representing over 1.2 million commercial Wi-Fi venues with certified WISPr interoperability across 123 countries and territories worldwide.

About Accuris Networks (http://www.accuris-networks.com/)
Accuris Networks is a leading provider of convergence, roaming and interworking solutions with respective device management. The AccuROAM platform is designed to provide mobile operators with a Wi-Fi offload and Wi-Fi roaming solution, which includes smartphone client software, access server/gateway technology and billing integration designed to provide a seamless and secure user experience for data, voice and messaging services. For more information, visit Accuris Networks at www.accuris-networks.com.

About iPass Inc. (http://www.ipass.com/about/)
iPass helps enterprises (http://www.ipass.com/solutions/open-mobile/) and telecom service providers (http://www.ipass.com/solutions/open-mobile-exchange/wi-fi-exchange/) ensure their employees and subscribers stay well connected. Founded in 1996, iPass  delivers the world’s largest commercial-grade Wi-Fi network (http://www.ipass.com/mobile-network/) and trusted connectivity platform. With more than 1.2 million Wi-Fi hotspots across 123 countries and territories, iPass gives its customers always-on, frictionless connectivity for smartphones, tablets and laptops anywhere in the world – simply, securely and cost-effectively. Additional information is available at www.iPass.com or on Smarter Connections (http://www.ipass.com/blog/), the iPass blog.

-###-

iPass® is a registered trademark and Open Mobile Exchange is a trademark of iPass Inc. Wi-Fi® is a registered trademark of the WiFi Alliance. All other trademarks are owned by their respective owners.

Media Contacts:

US

Kristin Bleier

Tel. +1 650 232 4337

Email: pr@ipass.com

UK

Leila Hajaj, Spark Communications

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7 436 0420

Email: leila@sparkcomms.co.uk