Boingo, Intel promote wireless for business travel

SANTA MONICA, California -- Boingo Wireless has signed an agreement with Intel to initiate a joint marketing campaign promoting wireless Internet access services to business travelers. The marketing campaign is in conjunction with the recent introduction of Intel Centrino mobile technology for notebook PCs that features integrated wireless LAN capability.

Boingo and Intel said that business travelers constitute an important market for Wi-Fi. More than 27 million business travelers carry laptop computers, which are increasingly Wi-Fi enabled, and have a clear need to get connected to office networks while traveling.

As part of the agreement, Boingo and Intel are working together to drive awareness of Wi-Fi (802.11) hot spots -- areas where notebook users can connect to the Internet and corporate networks wirelessly. The companies are collaborating on a new signage program that will inform users they are in a Boingo hot spot that has been tested and verified to work together with Intel Centrino mobile technology.

Maximizing compatibility

To enable a better wireless experience, the two companies are testing the Boingo network with Intel Centrino mobile technology to enable the highest levels of compatibility. Intel developed the Wireless Verification Program -- which includes engineering and testing of Intel Centrino mobile technology with various WLAN access point devices, software combinations, hot spot locations and wireless service providers -- to maximize compatibility and verify interoperability, further enhancing the end user's wireless experience.

Boingo claims to be the largest Wi-Fi hot spot aggregator for locations important to business travelers. The Boingo network now includes more than 1,200 airports, hotels, cafes and other hot spot locations worldwide. Today, a business traveler can stay in a Boingo hotel in 100% of the top 20 U.S. metropolitan markets, 86% of the top 50 U.S. markets, and 67% of the top 75 U.S. markets.

Through its Boingo Platform Services, Boingo powers the Wi-Fi services of EarthLink and Fiberlink, giving the company significant reach with a large set of potential Wi-Fi users.

"Boingo has developed the leading Wi-Fi network platform for simplified end-user network access, roaming and billing, which is well matched with Intel's vision of bringing Wi-Fi to a wide range of computer users," said Dave Hagan, president of Boingo. "By teaming with Intel, we can raise Wi-Fi's visibility and move the market along toward mass adoption."

Mobile processor

Intel's Centrino mobile technology, introduced in PC manufacturers' notebook computers one month ago, includes a new mobile processor, chipset and integrated wireless LAN capability, which have been designed and validated by Intel for outstanding mobile performance.

"With Boingo's Wi-Fi network services and Intel Centrino mobile technology, mobile users can enjoy cutting-edge performance and wireless capability," said Anand Chandrasekher, vice president, Intel Mobile Platforms Group. "Together, Boingo and Intel Centrino mobile technology enable robust wireless mobile computing and flexibility."

Intel Centrino mobile technology with integrated wireless LAN capabilities was designed specifically for wireless notebook PCs -- delivering outstanding mobile performance and enabling extended battery life and thinner, lighter designs.