Integration of Devicescape CVN into iPass network represents breakthrough in Wi-Fi aggregation
SAN BRUNO, Calif., August 10th, 2015 – Devicescape today announced a strategic partnership which sees its Curated Virtual Network (CVN) integrated into the global network offering of leading Wi-Fi aggregator iPass Inc. (NASDAQ: IPAS).
The agreement underpins an initiative which, for the first time, unites substantial commercial and public Wi-Fi resources, creating a global network of 50 million Wi-Fi locations. This network integration enables iPass to deliver access on an unprecedented scale and fundamentally changes the way Wi-Fi connectivity is provided.
The CVN, a crowd-sourced network of more than 20 million Amenity Wi-Fi locations worldwide, is a highly versatile connectivity asset offering strategic benefits to a growing range of connectivity service providers, including mobile operators, MVNOs and Wi-Fi First operators.
Commercial and public Wi-Fi are viewed by some within the communications industry as competing resources, and therefore fundamentally incompatible. This initiative exposes the flaws in such thinking and emphasizes the value of a service that exploits the characteristics of both. It also reinforces the logic of extending the approach to the mobile network.
Devicescape already enables its operator customers to manage disparate network assets as a unified resource. It champions a ‘Connectivity First’ service model that allows operators to blend cellular with commercial, public and private Wi-Fi into a service that delivers whatever connectivity is best suited to the end user’s immediate circumstances — managed at all times for quality. Connectivity First puts consistency — rather than one particular technology — at the heart of the end user experience.
“No single network in isolation can deliver the quality and consistency of connectivity that end users require,” said Dave Fraser, CEO, Devicescape. “We are thrilled to be contributing our Curated Virtual Network to this ambitious undertaking, not least because it is so well aligned with our Connectivity First philosophy.”
The partnership expands Devicescape’s activity in the enterprise market — in which iPass has a dominant presence — and makes a combined commercial and public Wi-Fi component available to the full range of service providers and network operators. In addition, deployment of the CVN by iPass will further accelerate expansion of the crowd-sourced network, expanding the global reach of both companies.
ENDS
About Devicescape
Devicescape operates the world’s largest Wi-Fi service platform, delivering Access, Insight, and Engagement Services for operators, mobile application providers, and device manufacturers. Powered by a global Curated Virtual Network of tens of millions of amenity Wi-Fi locations, including those provided by some of the world’s most popular service and retail brands, Devicescape enables a Connectivity First customer experience at an unmatched operating cost.
About iPass Inc.
iPass delivers global, mobile connectivity as a hosted cloud service, connecting its customers with the people and information that matter the most on all of the devices they choose to carry: smartphones, tablets and laptops. iPass (NASDAQ: IPAS) is the world’s largest commercial Wi-Fi network, with 20 million hotspots in airports, hotels, airplanes and public areas in more than 120 countries across the globe. In the rapidly changing technology of Internet connectivity, iPass is the industry pioneer in ensuring businesses have unlimited access to unlimited content.
Devicescape Media Contact
Henry Burrell
Babel PR
Tel: +44 (0)20 7199 3975
Email: devicescape@babelpr.com
iPass Media Contacts
US
Caitlin Haskins
10Fold
Tel: +1 415 800 5369
Email: ipass@10fold.com
UK
Kewal Varia
Spark Communications
Tel: +44 (0)20 7436 0420
Email: ipass@sparkcomms.co.uk