Seamless Wi-Fi, cellular roaming test announced

FREMONT, Calif. -- The first field trial marrying cellular and Wi-Fi networks has been announced by Green Packet, a leading developer of intelligent roaming infrastructure and wireless network solutions, and WiFi Metro, one of the largest wireless Internet service providers (WISPs) in the U.S. The trial will take place in the San Francisco Bay Area over the next three months using GreenPacket's SONaccess IP mobility solution and the WiFi Metro network. 

The two companies said this trial marks the first real world application of seamless roaming between cellular and Wi-Fi infrastructures, allowing users to move freely from one network to another without having to log on and off. According to C.C. Puan, CEO and President of Green Packet, "The partnership created by our companies is proof that cellular and Wi-Fi are not competing, but complementary technologies," said C. C. Puan, CEO and president of Green Packet.

The core technology that enables seamless roaming between cellular and wireless is Green Packet's SONaccess IP mobility solution. WiFi Metro will integrate SONaccess routers and client software in its Bay Area HotZones to provide users uninterrupted connections to wireless networks. As a result, wireless users will now be able to roam seamlessly between cellular networks and the WiFi Metro network. This new application creates additional freedom and significantly improved access for end users, fueling the growth and popularity of cellular and wireless networks in the public arena.

Wi-Fi roaming

"Seamless cellular and Wi-Fi roaming allows WiFi Metro to offer a new service to our customers and establishes WiFi Metro's leadership position among Wi-Fi services providers," said Arturo Pereyra, General Manager of WiFi Metro. "This solution delivers an "always-on" connection that delivers on the promise of true mobile computing."

SONaccess consists of a set of carrier-grade IP routers and client software for wireless devices such as laptops, PDAs, and smart phones, providing always-on access to information for increased business productivity. In addition, data such as important alerts, always-on email, location-based offers, and value-added network services can be efficiently "pushed" and "pulled" by the SONaccess technology. The Green Packet solution integrates existing wireless LAN and cellular network infrastructures into a single, seamless solution that optimizes mobile connectivity and performance.

WiFi Metro's HotZones, launched earlier this year, are located in the heart of downtown San Jose, and Palo Alto, California. Users can logon to the Internet wirelessly from their laptops or PDAs at speeds that are up to 200 times faster than dial-up access when they use the HotZone or any WiFi Metro location.

90-day field trial

The field trial is expected to last 90 days and will create the opportunity for both WiFi Metro and Green Packet to study user patterns. The conclusion of the trial will include a commercial agreement between the partners.

Based in Fremont, CA with offices in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Green Packet is a privately held company attracting some of the largest carriers, enterprises, wireless ISPs, and device manufacturers through partnerships and beta trials.

Green Packet also announced this week the availability of its IP mobility solution that enables users to roam seamlessly between hybrid wireless network and hotspots while maintaining uninterrupted access to corporate networks and data. Green Packet’s new wireless networking solutions allows mobile users the freedom to stay connected, regardless of the nature and availability of wireless networks. The product is now in trials at some of the world’s biggest mobile service providers.

Provider in Malaysia

“We are in the process of conducting field trials for the Green Packet SONaccess" solution. The value proposition of offering the best combination of bandwidth and coverage between WiFi and cellular networks is certainly compelling to our own organization and our customers,” said Knut Oppegaard, Head of Marketing at DiGi Telecommunications, a leading wireless telecommunications service provider in Malaysia. “Upon successful completion of field trials, we plan to integrate SONaccess" into our hotspot and enterprise networks throughout the country.”

SONaccess consists of a set of carrier-grade IP routers and client software for wireless devices such as laptops, PDAs, and smart phones, providing always-on access to information for increased business productivity. 

The Green Packet solution integrates existing wireless LAN and cellular network infrastructures into a single, seamless solution that optimizes mobile connectivity and performance from anywhere anytime. Data security is ensured via built-in IPsec technology.

Green Packet says the SONaccess client software, SONmobile, is the only intelligent roaming client software currently available on the market for deployment on the Pocket PC 2002 devices that are experiencing a rapid growth rate in North America and around the world.