Connexion by Boeing and iPass have agreed to deliver iPass enterprise customers secure in-flight Wi-Fi Internet connectivity.
iPass users will have access to the Connexion by Boeing mobile Internet service through the iPass Global Broadband Roaming network. This agreement marks Connexion by Boeing’s first contracted Wi-Fi enterprise access provider.
More than 528,000 distinct monthly iPass users will be able to connect to their corporate networks, send and receive emails with attachments, access files and business applications and surf the entire Internet while in the air.
“Wi-Fi, for business travelers, will rival extra legroom as a ‘must-have’ airline amenity,” said John Yunker, an analyst with Byte Level Research.
Connexion by Boeing has agreements with major air carriers that operate at airports serviced by iPass including Copenhagen Airport, Narita/New Tokyo Airport and Changi Airport. In total, iPass offers broadband access at 121 airports in 21 countries.
“Having a proven and secure method for enterprise travelers to connect to real-time high-speed Internet-based services is critical for doing business in a global environment,” said Connexion by Boeing vice president of marketing and direct sales David Friedman.
The Connexion by Boeing network will now enter the iPass Enterprise Ready certification programme, where it will be certified by iPass as Enterprise Ready by passing a rigorous testing regimen to ensure service availability, as well as interoperability with policy and security tools, such as virtual private networks, personal firewalls and virus protection.
“As a frequent long-haul flier myself, no one will be more thrilled to see the Connexion by Boeing service integrated with the iPass GBR network,” said Anurag Lal, vice president of business development at iPass. “Some of the flights I’ve taken last well over 12 hours, so increased productivity in the air is greatly needed. Users of this service will no longer have to wait the length of their flight —a full business day — for the vital business information that can help win that important deal or address a critical business issue.”