Press Releases

HSINCHU, TAIWAN and SANTA MONICA, Calif., USA – Jan. 3, 2006 – Accton Technology Corporation of Taiwan (TAIEX: 2345, www.accton.com), global outsourcing partner for networking and communications solutions, and Boingo Wireless Inc. (www.boingo.com) today announced plans to jointly develop VoIP WiFi handsets, dual mode handsets and personal gateway products.

Accton’s first product based upon the collaboration with Boingo — a VoIP WiFi handset — will be available in March 2006.  Follow-on products will include dual mode (GSM/WiFi) handsets, as well as portable personal gateways.  Accton is the first OEM/ODM company to announce its plans to embed Boingo’s authentication services into all of its emerging VoIP product lines. 

The VoIP products will provide direct access to Boingo’s Wi-Fi hotspots for low cost VoIP services without the need for a PC.  Once within range of a Boingo hotspot, WiFi users can take advantage of broadband applications such as VoIP and data streaming.

“The combination of Accton’s expertise in IP technology and innovative platforms, and Boingo’s proven ability to create a global network of accessible commercial hotspots presents a winning solution for Accton’s ODM customers, network operators, and the end users,” said Henry Yang, Accton’s CTO. “This technology partnership, and the products that will come from it, further demonstrate Accton’s vision—a commitment to building low cost IP related products that provide affordable communication devices to the market.”

“The future success of VoIP and dual-mode handsets depends on partnerships like this that bring together the technologies necessary to deliver the true roaming and seamless mobility we envision,” said Jonathan Mendelson, Boingo Wireless Director of Business Development for Devices . “Working with Accton—a  proven leader in ODM manufacturing in the field of networking—is  a great step toward delivering on that vision."

By partnering with Boingo, Accton ensures all future VoIP products can identify and access Boingo’s more than 25,000 global hotspots. The new products give VoIP service providers more to offer their users: more opportunities and flexibility to utilize their low cost VoIP telephony through any of Boingo’s global Wi-Fi network sites in hotels, airports, convention centers, truck stops, and retail stores.  Boingo’s authentication and provisioning services allow users to enter a commercial hotspot and access the network with no need to enter SSID’s.