iPass Launches Managed Connectivity for the UK Home

iPass Inc. (NASDAQ: IPAS) a global provider of services that unify the management of enterprise mobility, today announced it has expanded its Virtual Office and Home Office services to the UK, extending connectivity from mobile and business locations to include a nationwide managed home broadband service. The launch of the new service provides iPass customers with a pervasive connectivity solution, whether on the move or at home, all easily accessible from the award-winning iPassConnect™ universal client. The service now provides managed fixed broadband coverage across the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom combined with mobile access in over 175 countries worldwide.

“Global enterprises face a number of challenges when attempting to roll out and manage home broadband working solutions,” commented René Hendrikse, Managing Director EMEA, iPass. “A key issue is handling complex supplier relationships, including various technology configurations, fragmented support paths and multiple Service Level Agreements. When added to the headaches already inherent with mobility, it is clear that companies need a unified solution that can help them keep control, cut costs and ensure efficiency.”

As part of the rollout of iPass Virtual Office, each end-user is shipped a customised home wireless router and provided with the iPassConnect universal client software, configured according to their company’s policies. They connect through a business grade home broadband link deployed and managed by iPass for the company. Users get swift, easy access to critical corporate data and no longer have to deal with billing, setup or support issues.

The iPass Virtual Office service aims to deliver the following key benefits:

Comprehensive Coverage—one vendor relationship that unifies the management of enterprise-ready fixed broadband links from more than 160 leading cable and DSL providers in the US, Canada, and the UK as well as Wi-Fi hotspots, 3G mobile data and dial-up access across 175 countries.
Ease of Use—a single pre-configured wireless home broadband network and secure client interface limiting user frustration and downtime.
Security—protection of corporate data and user credentials through WPA and WPA2 wireless security as well as integration with leading VPNs, personal firewalls, anti-virus. Additionally, the service can be integrated with other services such as iPass Device Management and iPass Device Protection Online to ensure remote devices are properly updated, patched and protected whenever they connect to the Internet.
Consolidated Billing—a single detailed bill allows IT managers to easily manage budgets and charge back to departments, allowing greater focus to be placed on the core business and meeting corporate objectives.
Support—ongoing 24x7 customer care and technical support; online tools and portals available for corporate IT managers to access ordering information, invoicing data, and open or track customer care ticket details.
“Expanding our Virtual Office service to the UK will enable substantial productivity and cost benefits for our customer base, and permit them to save time and money and increase their efficiency,” said Ken Denman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, iPass. “By combining iPass’ mobility leadership with the fixed broadband expertise gained in our acquisition of GoRemote last year, iPass is helping organisations create dynamic and flexible working environments that keep employees productive on the road, in the office or at home.”

The Virtual Office and Home Office services will be available next month to 95% of the UK population over 8mbps DSL lines and nationwide throughout US and Canada.