News
Issue #2002 - 02 (January 2002)
(Updated Jan.16, 2002)

INFRASTRUCTURE, PRODUCTS & SERVICES

Boingo Wireless 'Sniffs Out' Wireless Wi-Fi Networks

Founder and chairman of Earthlink Sky Dayton recently launched a new high-speed wireless Internet service targeting the weary business traveler. 

Based in Santa Monica, C.A., Boingo Wireless allows customers to roam between over 750 public wireless LAN hot spots from hotel lobbies to coffee shops. 

Customers can expect to access e-mail, the Internet and corporate networks at speeds of up to 11 megabits per second. "Anyone who travels and has endured the pain of dial-up, long e-mail downloads, excruciatingly slow and expensive connections," Dayton says," knows the frustration of not having high-speed access when on the road."

Besides offering high-speed connections, Boingo Wireless also addresses the problem of finding and connecting to the growing number of hot spots. 

Boingo's proprietary Wi-Fi software, according to Dayton, "makes locating, sniffing out and connecting to these broadband wireless networks simple. Point-and-click for finding and connecting to Wi-Fi networks."

Instead of building its own networks, Boingo has negotiated roaming agreements with six companies that operate wireless Wi-Fi networks across the U.S. from New York to Los Angeles. 


For more information: http://www.boingo.com

Mobileinfo Comments & Advisory:  Boingo is a brave endeavor that needs to be sustained. In spite of demise of MobileStar and other hot spot vendors, the technology behind this venture will live in one form or another. The model that we like is one that is based on hybrid network architecture - WiFi LANs and wide area 2.5G/3G wide area networks. For this to happen, the carriers must get into the act just like Verizon did in acquiring MobileStar. Boingo appears to be taking on the role of a roaming search engine for hot spots. We do not find Boingo's IP to be very difficult to emulate. Therefore, Boingo should become a great negotiator who can wheel and deal with plazas, airports, coffee shops and underground shopping concourses.  

Note: This news release may contain forward-looking statements. Readers should take appropriate caution in developing plans utilizing these products, services and technology architectures.  All trademarks used in this summary are the property of their respective owners.