Kyocera and Boingo to develop 3G/Wi-Fi handsets
March 15, 2005
Kyocera Wireless and Boingo Wireless announced plans to develop future dual-mode (3G and Wi-Fi) wireless phones with commercial Wi-Fi network roaming capabilities. The companies will explore the potential of integrating Boingo's commercial roaming software for Wi-Fi connectivity and user authentication into future dual-mode handsets from Kyocera Wireless. The functionality would enable users to roam seamlessly between wireless cellular networks and Wi-Fi hot spots. This roaming capability, well established in cellular devices and Wi-Fi enabled PCs, is not available on today's Wi-Fi enabled handsets designed to support data services.
"Boingo is pleased to collaborate with Kyocera Wireless on development of future dual-mode handsets, bringing together all the necessary technologies to deliver true roaming and seamless mobility," said David Hagan, president and CEO of Boingo Wireless. "With its history of CDMA innovation and complementary market vision, Kyocera Wireless is an ideal fit for Boingo as we drive to expand the number of types of devices that can connect onto Boingo's Wi-Fi network."
Dual-mode phones represent convergence of 3G cellular services and Wi-Fi - leveraging the ubiquity of wide-area 3G networks and the high performance and low operational costs of local-area Wi-Fi networks. The dual-mode roaming capability allows wireless handsets to utilize cellular or Wi-Fi networks to place and receive calls, and to provide Internet access for email and Web surfing.
Next-generation wireless phones offering built-in Wi-Fi support stand to benefit end-users and network operators alike. Users within range of a Wi-Fi signal, or "hot spot," will experience significantly faster data throughput, improving the user experience. With the ability to offload data-intensive applications from cellular data channels, network operators and MVNOs will improve their ability to manage network traffic and maintain peak performance. In addition, seamless interoperability between Wi-Fi and 3G networks promises new revenue opportunities for operators and MVNO's by enabling delivery of data-intensive applications and services such as streaming video and interactive games, with minimal impact on network performance.
"The key to uptake whenever you introduce new technologies is to make the user experience as hassle-free as possible -- we call it the Genius of Simplicity," said Jim Kelly, executive vice president and COO of Kyocera Wireless Corp. "The combination of Kyocera's ability to deliver innovative applications in a simplified user interface, and Boingo's ability to make its vast global network of Wi-Fi hotspots easily accessible, is a winning formula and represents a true opportunity to get beyond the hype surrounding wireless VOIP and actually deliver on the promise of seamless mobility."
|
