iPass - roaming offer

Roaming Service Pins 3G and Wi-Fi for Heck of a Deal for Travelers
see also iPass Connect

iPass is best known as a corporate aggregator of dial-up, Wi-Fi, and hotel Ethernet service, but they've moved into the mainstream today, with a new roaming service that directly competes with Boingo Wireless's individual roaming plans. iPass offered up four plans from $29.95 to $84.95 for all comers, although they expect mostly business travelers to sign up. iPass has 95,000 hotspots in their aggregated network worldwide, along with dial-up in nearly 90 countries.The plans are split into North American service and global service: you can buy unlimited North American dial-up, Ethernet, and Wi-Fi, or the global version of same, and add U.S.-only unlimited 3G on top. North American Wi-Fi is $29.95 per month, while global service runs $44.95 per month. Add U.S. 3G to either plan for $40 per month additional ($69.95 and $84.95, if you'd rather not do the math).The 3G option uses a domestic EVDO network, and requires an iPass-branded PC Card. The connection software for any of the four plans requires Windows XP, 2000, or Vista. (A Mac version and USB or ExpressCard adapters may come in the future.)For travelers who lusted after the ubiquity of 3G, and settled for Wi-Fi where available, the $40 add-on for unlimited 3G with the extra benefit of having access to dial-up service when that's the only option for connectivity--especially outside of the U.S.--makes the pricing and set of services particularly attractive.

Carriers charge $60 to $80 per month for unlimited 3G, typically requiring a 2-year commitment and a voice plan for the best price. iPass's 3G card runs $125 (including shipping and handling), and has a 1-year term, with a $100 early-cancellation penalty. Wi-Fi service purchased by itself is month to month, with no cancellation fee.Previously, Boingo Wireless--with about 100,000 hotspots in its global network--had the best deal by far for coverage and cost, with a $21.95 domestic and $39 global plan. iPass aces Boingo slightly at the moment by including all the T-Mobile Starbucks hotspot locations, which aren't included in other aggregated network footprints. By this fall, most Starbucks will be under AT&T's operation, and AT&T has reseller agreements with Boingo, iPass, and many other roaming aggregators.