Roam from wireless LAN to phone network, on a single bill?
Source: The Register
Normally, "strategic relationships" aren't worth much of a look; but a deal done between Transat and Gemplus could open up a new universal roaming system from phone to WLAN and back again, as users move around cities.
As announced, the agreement is merely "to extend secure WLAN access to enterprise and home markets" - by using smartcard security.
What it actually means, however, is that within a very short time, anybody who operates a wireless "hot spot" could find themselves earning a little extra money by connecting phone subscribers to the Internet. And the number of hotspots offered by phone operators could rocket.
The two enterprises have focused on a user authentication system developed by Transat: it's called WAIN (Wireless Access Internet Node) by using Gemplus smart card technology.
"This solution will address the security concerns of WLAN devices and enable wireless operators to use their existing infrastructure to offer WLAN access as part of their service portfolio," says the official press announcement.
