iPass Partners with BSNL to Expand Wi-Fi Footprint in India

iPass Inc (NASDAQ:IPAS),  a leading provider of global mobile connectivity announced a partnership with Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), a leading telecom provider in India.

The agreement will provide iPass customers with access to 23,000 Wi-Fi hotspots in strategic locations across India including tourist and heritage sites, public places and in more rural areas.

As quoted in the press release:

BSNL’s public Wi-Fi services were launched in February 2015. Initially rolling out two Wi-Fi hotspot zones in areas within the city of Varanasi, BSNL has since established further Wi-Fi hotspot zones in Hyderabad, around the Hussain Sagar Lake, and in more than 80 key tourist locations, including the Taj Mahal. BSNL is also growing its footprints in more rural areas, where more than 4,000 Wi-Fi hotspots have already been set up. Its total network is expected to grow to more than 50,000 hotspots over the next 6 months.

“India is a burgeoning location for Wi-Fi access and an increasingly important market for our customers,” said Patricia Hume, chief operations officer at iPass. “Whether travelling for work or vacation, iPass SmartConnect^TM users will now be able to connect to carrier-grade Wi-Fi at a range of strategic locations across the country.”

“We are delighted to partner with iPass to bring high-quality connectivity to its users at sites across India,” said Anupam Shrivastava, Chairman & Managing Director at BSNL. “Our public Wi-Fi connectivity service is an important part of our wider broadband offering that provides citizens access to Affordable, Anywhere & Anytime, high-speed broadband services while on the move. We’re proud to see our growing footprint become accessible as part of the iPass network.”

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