By adding WeRoam® functionality to their existing WLAN Hotspots HubHop will be able to tap into the vast customer base of GSM operators all over the world that have selected WeRoam® services. For GSM operators WeRoam® acts as their primary platform to interconnect their existing SIM based GSM services with SIM based WiFi services. As the Global WLAN market is showing a tremendous interest and growth, opening up large user populations will become key to the success of global WLAN services.
WeRoam® provides a service bureau and aggregation service for Wireless ISPs and Mobile Operators wishing to enter the WLAN market. WeRoam® builds on its association with Comfone’ GSM SS7, billing and clearing service, to enable a similar range of roaming services for the WLAN market. Through WeRoam®, WISP’ may gain connectivity with the networks of Mobile Operators, and vice versa, so that a common roaming platform is created with an extensive worldwide footprint. This is done with minimal up front cost and maximum use of existing network resources.
WeRoam® enables network roaming using the existing SS7 inter-operator signaling infrastructure. The end-user experience is akin to using a mobile phone – whichever network he or she is on, the laptop or PDA will authenticate with the “home” network, and create a billing record in the home network. The user does not have to intervene with username, password, or any other such complication. The use of a SIM card (in fact a type of smart card) gives the operator the proven security of GSM phones and enables WLAN users to be provisioned and managed in the same way as mobile phone users. The system also supports users who do not have a SIM card or cellular account by interconnecting with existing RADIUS based billing and authentication systems. In this case, the benefits of cellular to WLAN integration are reduced but existing subscribers and “walk-in’ customers may still use the hotspots.
According to TOGEWAnet CEO, Toni Stadelmann, “Our partnership with HubHop will give our WeRoam® customers and users access in key locations in the Netherlands such as the Dutch Congress Centre in the Hague. By being selective and by adding quality focused partners like HubHop to our global WeRoam® network we will enable customers of all our partners to enjoy the ease of use of global roaming for WLAN like they experience today with GSM.
Boris Veldhuijzen van Zanten, CEO of HubHop says, “By adding WeRoam® functionality to our existing access capabilities we are now able to offer truly Global WLAN roaming services to our existing and new corporate customers. The ease of integration of WeRoam® with our existing authentication and back office systems as well as the stability and flexibility of the services have pleasantly surprised us and have reinforced our strategic decision to select WeRoam®.
About HubHop
HubHop B.V. operates the largest WiFi Network in the Netherlands and currently operates Hotspots in hotels, cafe's, restaurants and conference centers. HubHop uses its own proprietary equipment and software to build its WiFi network and can thus provide a flexible, and in comparison with its Competition, more cost effective solution for their Hotspots.
About TOGEWAnet
The Swiss company TOGEWAnet AG, established in 2001 and owned by TOGEWA Holding, specialises in mobility management and roaming optimisation solutions for the mobile and wireless telecommunications sector. In May 2002 TOGEWAnet announced a strategic partnership with Infonet Services Corporation discussions are on-going to further extend the partnership. In July 2002 TOGEWAnet successfully introduced and demonstrated the first operational versions of its’ pioneering WeRoam® service, which received a great deal of interest from many players within the telecommunications industry. In October 2002 WeRoam® has successfully been implemented in the core GSM network of various operators to enable these operators to have a swift and cost efficient entrance into the world of WLAN.
TOGEWAnet’ WeRoam service facilitates the seamless integration of WLAN and GSM network technologies, enabling global roaming for WLAN services and thereafter facilitating automatic and secure roaming between WLAN, GSM and GPRS. Key solutions found in GSM technology have been adopted to make up the WeRoam® service, which provides secure authentication (based on GSM SIM and Radius), signaling conversion, clearing and settlement services (based on TAP - Transferred Account Procedure) and management of contractual roaming agreements. The subscriber will benefit from greater roaming coverage and the convenience of swapping between different standards with the additional advantage of having a single identity, thus receiving only one bill from his home network operator despite having visited a number of operators and countries and having used different mobile standards.
Close ties with its’ sister company, Comfone AG, also founded by the umbrella company of TOGEWA Group, allow TOGEWAnet to benefit from Comfone’ depth of experience in offering a wide range of roaming services to GSM operators. For more information, please visit www.weroam.com
Toni Stadelmann, CEO
Tel.: +41 (0) 31 341 1220
E-Mail: toni.stadelmann@togewanet.com
Boris Veldhuijzen van Zanten, CEO
Tel: +31 (0) 20 489 5779
E-Mail: boris@hubhop.nl