US : iPass, Inc. announced the addition of a new 3G service in the US, based on the high-speed CDMA EV-DO Rev A standard. With this release of this new offering in February, iPass will provide two nationwide US 3G services, as well as mobile data services covering China, Japan, and Singapore.

"Over the past year enterprises have started to standardize their workers’ use of 3G data,” said Anurag Lal ( inset ), chief business development and sales officer, iPass. “By adding this higher-speed 3G service to its connectivity portfolio, iPass helps companies strategically address the needs of their most mobile workers and stay ahead of the complex world of wireless connectivity.”

This new service will let mobile workers take advantage of EV-DO Rev A’s typical upload speeds of 300–400 kbps and download speeds of 450–800 kbps, giving employees high-speed performance without tying them to a specific location. These higher speeds, which offer a five-fold improvement over the upload performance of EV-DO Rev 0, will be available initially across 20 major US metropolitan areas, expanding to cover over 200 metro areas nationwide by the end of the year. Outside of these metro areas, users will still have mobile data coverage using EV-DO Rev 0 or 1xRTT technologies.

As an option to the iPass Virtual Office, the company’s flagship connectivity service, this new offering helps high-value workers be more productive wherever they go while allowing their companies to better control costs, simplify management and mitigate their security risks. It allows enterprises to unify a variety of connectivity choices for remote and mobile workers through a single award-winning interface – including 3G mobile data, 75,000 Wi-Fi hotspots worldwide, fixed broadband connections, mobile broadband satellite and dial-up networks in more than 160 countries.

Key features of the new service include:

• One user experience: the iPassConnect™ universal client gives users a single interface for connecting to all remote and mobile connection types.
• Automatic network detection/network card configuration: iPass eliminates the hassle of network adapter configuration. Initially, the service will support the Sierra Wireless AirCard® 595 wireless wide area network card, with other 3G devices to be integrated as demand warrants.
• Unified billing: IT departments get one consolidated invoice for all connections from iPass across multiple mobile data services, Wi-Fi hotspots and other access types.
• Security validation: The service integrates with leading VPNs, personal firewalls and anti-virus solutions, enabling companies to ensure consistent use of key security tools over diverse access methods.
• Service quality reports: Connection information, including success or failure, card details and signal strength, is collected and made available to help desk staff on the iPass Portal.
• Device management: Enterprises can integrate use of iPass device management services as a part of the mobile data connection process to gain better control over hard-to-reach systems.

Pricing and Availability

The new service will be available by the end of February. Pricing starts at $60 per month per user for unlimited usage with volume discounts available.

About iPass Inc.

iPass helps enterprises unify the management of remote and mobile connectivity and devices. With iPass software and services, customers can create easy-to-use broadband solutions for their mobile workers, home offices, and branch and retail locations, complete with device management, security validation, and unified billing. iPass offerings are powered by its leading global virtual network, on-demand management platform, and award-winning client software. The iPass global virtual network unifies hundreds of wireless, broadband and dial-up providers in over 160 countries. Hundreds of Global 2000 companies rely on iPass services, including General Motors, Nokia, and Reuters. Founded in 1996, iPass is headquartered in Redwood Shores, Calif., with offices throughout North America, Europe and Asia.