By adding WeRoam® functionality to their existing WLAN Hotspots and Hotzones WinQ BV will be able to tap into the vast customer base of GSM operators and WISP’s all over the world that have selected WeRoam® services.
Through WeRoam®, WISP’s may gain SIM and Radius based connectivity with the networks of Mobile Operators 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.
The end-user experience is comparable to using a mobile phone – whichever network he or she is on and 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.
Freek Peters, Director of Marketing and Sales of WinQ BV says, "WinQ recognizes the eminent role roaming in general and roaming GSM subscribers to Wi-Fi zones in particular will play in the near future. GSM roaming and authentication is a crucial component in delivering the desired ease-of use. The SIM and Radius based WeRoam service TOGEWAnet has developed is just such a solution. The roaming contract and joint development of this in the Netherlands and in the Eindhoven region in particular will set the standard for wide scale HotZone services".
According to TOGEWAnet CEO, Toni Stadelmann, “Our partnership with quality provider WinQ will give our WeRoam® customers and users access in key hotels and Hotzones in the Netherlands. By being selective and by adding quality focused partners like WinQ BV 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.
About Winq BV
WinQ is the main carrier independent WISP from the Netherlands that focuses on improving it’s Venue clients overall P&L position. To do this WinQ delivers carrier grade Wi-Fi service for Business Clients and centers on local marketing and promotions to drive traffic.
WinQ has a strong quality drive: WinQ was the first European Wi-Fi ZONE TM provider and WinQ strives to bring GSM ease-of-use to the public hotspot arena.
WinQ has been building the first true HOT ZONE in the Benelux: Eindhoven city Center.
The Eindhoven HotZone is fully operational.
Roaming between WISPS and hotspots is a central part of WinQ’s vision and recognizes the eminent role roaming in general and roaming GSM subscribers to Wi-Fi zones in particular will play in the near future.
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.
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, signaling conversion, clearing and settlement services (based on TAP - Transferred Account Procedure) and management of contractual roaming agreements. This positions WeRoam® as the only open roaming platform supporting all relevant authentication methods for WLAN Roaming such as SIM, Radius and EAP SIM. Registration is pending to patent WeRoam®' innovative SIM based WLAN roaming technology.
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