Microsoft and partners make Wi-Fi access easy

REDMOND, Washington -- Microsoft is teaming up with high-speed wireless service provider T-Mobile HotSpot as well as Boingo Wireless and Wayport with the goal of making it easier for U.S. customers to find, access and use Wi-Fi network discovery configuration capabilities.

As part of a promotion, customers who purchase a new Wi-Fi-enabled Pocket PC with Windows Mobile can sign up for 30 days' free Wi-Fi access with new qualifying subscriptions from any of the participating providers. T-Mobile Hotspot makes up the nation's largest commercial Wi-Fi network, which includes more than 120 airline clubs, numerous airports, Borders Books & Music and Starbucks coffeehouses -- and more than 1,000 Kinko's locations are soon to be added. Boingo's 1,300 hot spot locations in the United States cover 300 cities in 43 states, and Wayport's high-speed wireless service can be found at more than 525 hotels, including Hilton and Marriott.

This version of Windows Mobile automatically detects and easily connects to Wi-Fi networks. Beginning today, customers can choose from a variety of new Windows Mobile-based Pocket PC devices from both new and existing device manufacturers.

"Wireless access increases the utility and productivity capabilities of mobile devices," said Juha Christensen, corporate vice president of the Mobile Devices Division at Microsoft. "Microsoft's Windows Mobile software makes it easy for customers to connect to Wi-Fi networks, and this promotion makes it easy for them to try the service and realize the benefits of wireless computing."

Wi-Fi, a popular standard for wireless local area networks (LANs), is rapidly becoming a preferred standard for accessing high-speed Internet connections without wires. Combined, T-Mobile, Boingo and Wayport coverage provides more than 3,500 hot spots, or public locations with access to Wi-Fi, throughout the nation. This promotion enables the service providers to reach new Windows Mobile customers.

Largest Wi-Fi network

"T-Mobile's customers enjoy the convenience and accessibility of the nation's largest commercial public Wi-Fi network," said Joe Sims, vice president and general manager of T-Mobile HotSpot. "We are pleased to enhance our customer's experience by integrating with Microsoft's powerful and familiar Windows Mobile software."

"We are pleased to partner with Microsoft to make it easy for Windows Mobile customers to experience Wi-Fi computing on a Pocket PC," said Dave Hagan, president of Boingo Wireless. "Now Windows Mobile customers can test-drive the public Wi-Fi experience with a Pocket Boingo version designed to take advantage of Windows Mobile 2003 advancements, and business travelers can seamlessly get connected to 1,500 hot spots in airports, hotels and cafes around the world, helping them stay connected and in touch while away from home or the office."

"By increasing awareness and availability of high-speed wired and wireless Internet access for travelers, Wayport, along with Microsoft, is raising the industry bar on convenient high-speed Internet connectivity," said Dan Lowden, vice president of marketing for Wayport. "With this promotion, we hope to continue to expose customers to the amazing potential of wireless computing on our extensive nationwide network that consists of locations where people need the service most: in hotels and airports."