Telstra to offer remote access with iPass

Stuart Corner
Wednesday, 30 November 2005 08:40

Your IT - Home IT

Telstra has announced a three-year exclusive partnership with US-based provider of global roaming Internet access services, iPass.

iPass, through its network of resellers and access partners provides travellers with Internet access and secure access to corporate networks from thousands of locations - dial-up, broadband and wireless - using a singlE sign- on and with all chargeS billed through their home country service provider.

Telstra says the exclusive Australian partnership follows the successful proof of concept of a tailored solution at the National Australia Bank for secure remote access for its workers, and an agreement announced by Telstra in August for remote access for the Commonwealth Bank's 3,000 mobile employees.

Telstra's managing director Convergent Solutions, Lynda O'Grady, said the service, dubbed 'Telstra Remote Working', enabled businesses' 'road warriors' to securely connect to corporate networks while out of the office and overseas.

"Today approximately 2.8 million Australians are mobile workers and this will increase to 3.4 million by 2008," O'Grady said. "Already we have more than 30 corporate and government customers interested in this solution."

The service will enable access to corporate networks via single sign on over any of Telstra's access technologies: dial up, ADSL, cable, 2G and 3G wireless and WiFi and from 160 countries overseas.

Although Telstra describes the relationship as "exclusive" iPass already has nine reseller partners in Australia: Optus, Pacific Internet, Connect (AAPT), iPrimus, NetStar, NTT Australia, Rosser Communications, Loop Technology and Remote Access Solutions.