Boingo wants to make sure its public WiFi hotspots aren't left out of the fixed-mobile convergence (FMC) equation. The WiFi aggregator announced a toolkit that is designed to make it easy for mobile devices to utilize public hotspots. Boingo introduced the Embedded Wi-Fi Toolkit, an open source software package that enables developers to integrate WiFi connection management to any WiFi hotspot into small form factor devices such as dual-mode phones, VoIP handsets or mobile-gaming consoles. Boingo also announced a successful completion of a Linux port of its software by E28, a leading Linux-based smart phone maker. In addition to supporting Linux, the toolkit is currently available for Windows Mobile 2003 and BREW. The toolkit will be available by the end of May.
Most of the FMC talk is centered on allowing mobile customers to roam on home WiFi connections where operators have a difficult time adding coverage. But it appears most operators are lukewarm about the idea of letting their customers roam on public hotspots, especially given the complex connectivity processes.
To read more about Boingo's WiFi toolkit:
- check out the company's releases on its site