Wifi Revolution

A Redwood Shores, California-based company announced today that it’s joining a Wi-Fi provider in expanding the technology in China as the Olympic games in Beijing approach.

 

Officials from iPass (News - Alert) say their company is providing Wi-Fi coverage in 600 live locations from Coordinate Technologies Communication Limited – the first phase, officials say, of a rollout that’s expected to include the CTCL footprint of nearly 1,600 hotspots in the nation.

 

Since market reforms have taken place in the communist nation, China has seen rapid advances in wireless communications, according to Chee Leng Loy, managing director of iPass in Asia.

 

“We are very pleased that we can offer iPass users the coverage they need to stay connected across China, especially ahead of the landmark event that will be the Beijing games this summer,” Loy said.

 

iPass officials describe their company as a global provider of services that unify the management of enterprise mobility. The partnership that iPass is forging with CTCL – a systems integrator that provides the Wi-Fi roaming hub for Chinese carriers – increases iPass’ broadband roaming footprint in one of the world’s most critical economies, officials say.

 

It also will give iPass users extensive Wi-Fi coverage across the key cities hosting the Beijing games, which start in August, officials say. About 2,500 active wireless broadband locations available across China and Hong Kong, and iPass covers more than half of all available commercial Wi-Fi hotspots, according to the company.

 

The cities involved include Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Qingdao, Tianjin, Shenyang and Qinhuangdao, according to the companies. CTCL officials say their network covers nearly 50 international and domestic airports, more than 700 hotels including the Shangri-La and Crowne Plaza chains, Starbucks coffee shops and conference facilities.

 

The company’s chief executive officer, Jason Liang, said CTCL’s partnership with iPass “will be critical to opening our footprint to thousands of new business users within China as well as overseas travelers who have a need for secure and reliable Wi-Fi access.”

 

 

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