iPass Inc. and Chunghwa Telecom announce first Pan-Asia flat-rate pricing plan for broadband access
TMC net / June 29, 2007

iPass Inc. and Chunghwa Telecom Co., Ltd have launched the first of its kind Pan-Asian flat-rate roaming service for WiFi, wired broadband, and dial-up access.

iPass is a leading provider of software and services that allow enterprises to unify the management of their remote and mobile connectivity and devices. The jointly developed service will allow the users of Chunghwa Telecom, Taiwan’s leading telecom service provider to travel across Asia without worrying about mobility costs.

A study by the Tourism Bureau Ministry of Transportation and Communications, Republic of China (Taiwan) reveals that pan-Asia trips constitute 83 percent of total travel by Taiwanese people. iPass and Chunghwa Telecom’s flat-rate pricing plan, targets these travelers and attempts to eliminate the unpredictability of their connectivity expenses.

The service offers unlimited redundant dial-up and almost 23,000 WiFi hotspot locations across the region, which includes Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, China, Fiji Islands, Guam, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, N. Mariana Island/Saipan, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.

“iPass and Chunghwa are breaking new ground with Asia’s first regional flat-rate pricing offering,” remarked Chee Leng Loy, Managing Director, Asia, iPass. “Chunghwa customers can now take full advantage of the availability of wireless and wired broadband, without the risk of increasing their connectivity costs. A flat-rate mobility service allows organizations to properly plan for and support their mobile workforce, allowing for increased cost predictability.”

“Offering a flat-rate pricing model provides a more attractive solution for Taiwanese business people whenever they travel in the region,” said Yi-Ching Chen, Managing Director, Marketing Department, Chunghwa Telecom.

The service will be available starting in July.