IPass access tops 1000 hot spots

Wi-Fi virtual network operator iPass said it has now validated more than 1000 public hot spots for remote enterprise access, a milestone reached with one year after launching its Global Broadband Roaming Service.

Over the last year, iPass has aligned with wireless ISPs and hot-spot operators like Wayport and StayOnline to expand its secure remote access service in locations such as 16 major domestic and foreign airports, 500 hotels, and hundreds of coffee shops, restaurants and Internet cafes.

However, Jon Russo, vice president of marketing at iPass, stressed that the 1000 validated hot spots included in this week’s announcement are all operating live. He said the distinction is important because several hot spot operators have confused users with launch announcements for hot spots that are being built, but are not yet ready to use.

“Enterprise expect a consistent experience at public hot spots, with a consistent service interface,” he said, adding that if a corporate user expects a hot spot to be up and running, but it’s not, that user is unlikely to return.

Russo also said that iPass does not have a specific publicized plan to validate a certain number of hot spots as enterprise-ready. Rather, the company follows recommendations of corporate users in deciding which hot spots its needs to certify to support its service.

The company was founded in 1996 and located is in Redwood Shores, Calif. Using a generic interface specification protocol, the roaming services lets enterprise customers tap into their corporate VPN offerings only if iPass has validated the hot-spot as enterprise-ready.

Because iPass has partnered with many vendors of VPN technology, enterprise network managers can administer all of their usual VPN policies and firewalls through the service.