Zain to offer global Wi-Fi data roaming service

Zain Group, a leading mobile telecommunications provider in the Middle East, has signed an agreement with iPass Inc to offer its mobile customers with global Wi-Fi data roaming services. The Zain Group offering will leverage the iPass Open Mobile Exchange (iPass OMX) to provide customers with a global Wi-Fi roaming offering and access to the iPass Mobile Network, the world’s largest commercial Wi-Fi network at local rates. iPass is a leading provider of mobility services for both enterprises and telecom service providers. “Zain is excited to work with iPass for this ground breaking Wi-Fi roaming service that will provide the ultimate flexibility to our customers travelling abroad,” said Hisham Akbar, Zain Group chief commercial officer. “Our customers will be able to use their smartphones and tablets to affordably data roam on Wi-Fi in over 700,000 locations internationally with the convenience of being charged on their home bill – it’s a value added service that our mobile customers have desired in order to avert high data roaming charges.” “Zain is a pioneering mobile operator in the Middle East that has recognized early-on the value of providing their 40 million customers an alternative and affordable roaming service using our Open Mobile Exchange platform and global Wi-Fi network,” said Steve Livingston, iPass senior vice president of carrier development. “Our enablement of Zain’s global Wi-Fi roaming offering will help drive consumer value and loyalty to their brand making it easier for Zain customers to send and receive more rich media content at affordable rates.” The iPass Open Mobile Exchange enables mobile network operators to maximise the impact of their roaming offer with minimum effort. The service offers the largest Wi-Fi roaming footprint in the world: customers can seamlessly connect to more than 700,000 Wi-Fi hotspots in 117 countries, in key locations such as airports, hotels, convention centers, coffee shops and many more.