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Boingo gets wireless access client patent

The US Wi-Fi hotspot aggregator Boingo has been awarded a patent for accessing wireless networks using a mobile device.US patent number 7,483,984 describes how an access client on a mobile computing device accesses and logs onto carrier networks using wireless access points.
Written by David Meyer, Contributor

The US Wi-Fi hotspot aggregator Boingo has been awarded a patent for accessing wireless networks using a mobile device.

US patent number 7,483,984 describes how an access client on a mobile computing device accesses and logs onto carrier networks using wireless access points. Boingo filed the patent at the end of 2002, and was awarded it in January this year.

According to a statement issued by Boingo on Tuesday, the patent "covers all wireless technologies and spectrums, as well as any mobile device that accesses wireless hotspots".

"This patent represents a huge addition to Boingo's intellectual property," Boingo chief executive David Hagan said in the statement.

Niels Jonker, Boingo's chief technology officer, said the patent covered technology that is used in the company's client software for laptops and mobile platforms including Android, iPhone, Symbian S60 and Windows Mobile.

"With this patent, Boingo cements its position as a leader in authentication and verification of various wireless technologies, making it easier for a user to find the right network and connect with it, in a seamless presentation and user experience," Jonker said.

The company also has other pending patents covering "automatic network selection and authentication, as well as client technology for the detection, association and logging on to networks", Boingo said.

Boingo did not say in its statement what its attitude was towards other companies using similar Wi-Fi client technology.

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