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Cheaper roaming costs for mobile workers

Wi-Fi connectivity aggregator iPass has released a software client for BlackBerry devices, providing users of the smartphone with access to nearly 140,000 Wi-Fi hotspots worldwide.

An iPass account enablers users to bypass expensive roaming charges when accessing the Internet or reading email on their devices. The company says this is particularly useful for workers who travel a lot and face expensive data charges in hotels or airports. IPass provides a virtual network service via deals with a number of network operators around the world. Users pay a flat per-user fee every month for unlimited data access.

Adding BlackBerry devices to its portfolio means the company now supports the most popular device in the enterprise. IPass already supports the iPhone and Windows- and Symbian-based smartphones.

Matt Cooke, senior product marketing manager at iPass, told CBR that the delay in releasing a BlackBerry client was due to the lack of Wi-Fi on BlackBerry devices, most notably the Storm, RIM’s first foray into the touchscreen market.

This development means that iPass is now available on The BlackBerry Bold, Pearl Flip 8220 and 8120, the Curve 8900, 8320 and 8350i and the BlackBerry 8820.

Although the company started out providing connectivity services on laptops, from Q1 2009 to Q2 2009 the firm saw a 200% increase in handheld users.

“We’ve noticed more interest from carriers about Wi-Fi,” Cooke said. “But we are also seeing more interest from clients about Wi-Fi on BlackBerry devices as they become more critical to business operations.”

Cooke added that the platform enables business to cut the costs associated with roaming charges.

The iPassConnect application for BlackBerry smartphones sits alongside BlackBerry Enterprise Server (BES), so IT admins can manage the platform remotely. It is available as a free download from the iPass website for current subscribers. Cooke added that he hopes it will appear on BlackBerry App World within the next few weeks.