Hey guys,

I'm ready to choose between these two for an individual (not corporate) global mobile unlimited subscription, but can't seem to find a definitive thread or website that compares them. Would like to poll the FT community, any thoughts welcomed.

I'm interested in the following features, in order of importance:

(1) extensive yet reliable coverage in Europe, in both major and minor venues
(2) reliable coverage in USA, in major venues
(3) ease-of-use (i.e. wherever I am, software makes it easy to find the nearest hotspot)
(4) responsive, rigorous customer service (i.e. easy to cancel)

Does anybody have first-hand or second-hand info either way? Reliability and coverage are probably most important to me, and reliability isn't something I can easily verify from websites alone. Ease-of-use is important too. Both companies seem to offer similarly-priced annual plans. FWIW I am using an iPhone 3GS.

From what I've seen/heard, it appears I should sign up for iPass. Thoughts? Am I missing important criteria?

-cmhsieh54

I've been extremely pleased with iPass, particularly in Europe. I don't have any experience with the customer service though since it's been handled by a corporate team of ours. Covering all Starbucks in the US has been nice too.

Also, the software is easy enough to use and on all major platforms (ipod, iphone, etc). For Android I use "Hotspot Connect" to login w/ iPass which is even easier as well with less overhead.

Well, after surfing a bit, I've discovered that apparently iPass is no longer offering subscriptions to individuals, as of this past July 2010.

So I guess my next question is "Is Boingo the only game left in town?"

-cmhsieh54

I have Boingo unlimited in the US & just bump it up to worldwide when I'm overseas, then drop it back to domestic when I return. I've been pretty happy w/ it & the customer service. Only reason I don't do Boingo worldwide year-round is my int'l tends to concentrate in 2 quarters.

Cheers.

Hi --

Full disclosure: I work for Boingo Wireless. I wanted to make sure you had access to the information you requested:

1) We have extensive coverage in Europe. London = 1501 hotspots, Paris: 2851 hotspots, Madrid: 457 hotspots. You can search our location directory by city: http://boingo.jiwire.com/?lang=en

2) We have great coverage in the USA, including at airports, hotels, cafes and more. Again, check out our location directory.

3) We have great (free) software for helping you connect, including software for the iPhone (there's even a mapping function that helps you locate nearby hotspots). Download the app from iTunes. If you're connecting on just your iPhone, check out our Boingo Mobile plan for $7.95/month. It gives you up to 2000 minutes per month of access all over the world, no premium/roaming charges. Check out our different plan options here: http://www.boingo.com/what-is-boingo.php?lang=en.

4) Our Customer Care team is available 24/7 by phone and email: http://www.boingo.com/boingo-support.php?lang=en. We're also social media addicts, so you're bound to reach us on Twitter (www.twitter.com/boingo) or Facebook (www.facebook.com/boingo). Cancel anytime through those channels.

I'm happy to answer your questions. Please feel free to reach out at [email protected].

Cheers,
Baochi Nguyen
Boingo Wireless

No, they're not. Try www.i2roam.com, an iPass reseller that provides individual access. I've used them for years and have been very pleased. The only issues I have had are connecting with the new iPass app for the iPhone/iPad, but hopefully I can get that sorted soon.

Wow those prices are high.

I'm sadly looking for a new service after my old employer finally culled their database of non-employee iPass users Looks like Boingo's the best game as far as price competitiveness goes. I appreciate that someone from their company is on the forum as well.

Another i2roam user here (since 200). No monthly fees. Only usage is billed. Expensive, but at times very convenient for quick email checking, when there is no (free) alternative available.

Welcome to FT. Good to have you on this board.

Thanks for the link. On this link, I read "Enjoy UNLIMITED worldwide Wi-Fi connects on your mobile device, including iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android phone, Windows Mobile phone, or Nokia phone for only $7.95 USD per month." My BOLD.
Which piece of info is more current? 2,000 min or unlimited?

Would Nokia world phone on an ATT wireless service be compatible?

Can the international service be suspended on a monthly (or daily) basis without charge?

I think you are confusing WiFi service with cellular service. As long as your Nokia has WiFi, it doesn't matter what the operator is.

This service is purely for data, not voice.

I've been pleased with Skype Access. 200k worldwide hotspots: You associate with a public WiFi hotspot and a client pops up if it's a Skype partner. If you agree, 19 cents per minute is automatically drawn from your Skype account. I don't spend hours surfing with it, but it's a great way to upload / download email.

That's also pretty pricey if you are doing a basic email session. I can rarely get anything done in < 30 mins which adds up rather quickly. Also, AFAICT, Skype Access doesn't work with any of their Skype mobile clients yet.

I've used Boingo in the past. It's compatible with most of the Marriotts I've stayed at in Germany. Made platinum this year so I don't need it anymore. I liked the fact that I could purchase the one month subscription then cancel it when I returned. The one month subscription does limit your hours though and after a week of heavy usage I would be near the end of my allotment. I also use a MagicJack when I travel. Like it because I need to call toll free numbers in the USA quite a bit and having a USA phone number with the MagicJack allows me to make these calls. Also the unlimited free calling from Europe is nice as well.

bringing this thread back. I currently have azzurri I pass which is unlimited but I don't travel often (and when I do I can buy a prepaid sim or get free wifi) and its quite expensive for me at$45/month. Is there a better option? I was thinking boingo mobile as I travel with my xoom tablet and adding the ipass i2roam. Boingo seems to not have any presence where I fly (fra,muc airports)
Any other option out there?

Breathing even more life back into this thread, I have a question about the iPass reseller, i2Roam.

I have had an account with i2Roam for years through work. It has always been reliable, even back in the days of dial-up modem access. A few times recently that I tried to use them in a hotel or airport, the connection did not go through. I have tried to contact i2Roam several times for the last few months by email, no reply at all, and they used to be pretty good about responding. If you call their toll-free number it never answers but goes to a VM box. The clincher is, if you use their local business number (Oshkosh WI I think), you get a recording saying the number is no longer in service. Ouch.

This looks bad, these are the tell-tale signs of the death of a tech company - web site still alive, but lights are off and no breathing person. Has anybody actually used i2Roam service, or had any contact with anybody there in 2011? How about last half of 2011?

Are the only roaming options really just iPass through a different reseller, or Boingo?