Boingo releases new software versions

Boingo Wireless has released new versions of its Wi-Fi client roaming software and its software developers kit for its carrier partners that operate Wi-Fi hotspots.

The new client software expands the Boingo Roaming System to include 3500 new hotspots in Europe. The software is compatible with Windows XP Service Pack 2, and enables new security features, including 802.1x authentication and Wi-Fi Protected Access encryption for users that have WPA enabled on their devices and cards, said Dave Hagan, president and chief operating officer at Boingo.

"With 802.1x and WPA, security will get better, but it may still take a few years because of the hardware change-out that is occurring to devices that support WPA," he said. The carrier SDK Version 1.4 allows carriers to support a greater variety of applications and rate plans according to network types, such as basic, roaming and premium designations.

"There is some per-minute pricing out there and per-byte pricing, a lot of flexibility in the pricing model for wholesale operators," Hagan said. "We’re trying to adapt to that and make it easy for carriers."