WeRoam launches in Greece in time for Olympics



In cooperation with OTEnet, the global roaming network has been expanded to include attractive WLAN locations in Athens

Berne, -/August 03, 2004 - Wi-Fi Technology News/- When the Olympic Games open in Athens on the 13th of August, Greece is expecting to welcome large numbers of visitors from across the world. As far as athlets, trainers, media representatives and, indeed, many members of spectators are concerned, the availability of convenient data-communication systems will be essential. Indeed, the demand for WLAN Internet access is expected to reach new heights. And it is set against this background that WeRoam, the world's leading roaming platform with today over 10.000 global hotspots, is launching its service in Greece. To do this, WeRoam has entered into a cooperation agreement with the leading provider in Greece, OTEnet.

OTEnet is a subsidiary of the "Greek Telecommunications Organization" (OTE) and was founded in 1996 with the aim of dynamically developing the market for Internet and broadband communication technologies. As a Greek pioneer of WLAN and going under the brand name of "OnWireless", OTEnet operates Wi-Fi hotspots in hotels, congress centres and airports for public wireless access to the Internet. In Athens this network includes for instance "Eleftherios Venizelos" international airport, the "Aegli" Conference Centre and well-known hotels such as the "Caravel" and the "Apollon Palace".

This cooperation agreement now enables international customers of WeRoam easy and secure access to "OnWireless" hotspots in Athens and across Greece. For WeRoam customers, this means that they will no longer have to go through the process of purchasing pre-paid cards. Billing is pooled together on the mobile phone invoice and is taken care of by the user's own mobile provider.


Background:

OTEnet S.A (http://www.otenet.gr), the leading Greek Internet and Internet Protocol Services Provider, was founded in 1996 by OTE and has been the key element of OTE's business strategy in the field of new technologies and Internet Protocol services. OTEnet has a reliable and extensive network that enables it to offer products and services covering a range of business and consumer needs. OTEnet offers Internet access and services, IP telecom solutions, IT application development and hosting services using Internet technologies.
http://www.otenet.gr/company/english/index.htm

WeRoam facilitates the seamless integration of WLAN and GSM network technologies, enabling global roaming for WLAN services. 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. This positions WeRoam as the only open roaming platform supporting all relevant authentication methods for WLAN Roaming such as SIM, Radius and EAP SIM. The wireless footprint includes today more than 10.000 Wi-Fi hotspot locations worldwide.

The company was established in 2001 and is owned by TOGEWA Holding (Switzerland) and Infonet Service Corporation (USA). WeRoam?s innovative SIM based WLAN roaming solution is patent pending.
http://www.weroam.com