T-Mobile Inreases Hot Spot Security

T-Mobile HotSpot customers get more security as Wi-Fi leader rolls out 802.1x across nationwide HotSpot network.

T-Mobile USA announced today that it is the only US wireless carrier to provide both Wi-Fi users and corporate IT managers additional peace-of-mind for wireless broadband data security due to the implementation of the 802.1x security standard across the nationwide T-Mobile HotSpot wireless network.(a) With this enhancement to its existing security practices, T-Mobile not only reinforces that it is the premium brand for Wi-Fi, but again delivers an industry first to the US market — being the first national wireless carrier to deploy 802.1x. The 802.1x standard provides one of the highest degrees of Wi-Fi security commercially available by encrypting and helping protect the wireless broadband signal between a laptop and/or PDA and the network’s wireless access point or antennae.

Customers will enjoy a higher degree of security at more than 4,700 T-Mobile HotSpot locations and, in turn, will have more opportunities to access their corporate information, or what matters most, all while wireless. This enhanced security is just one more layer of reliability to a Wi-Fi offering that already includes:

— Carrier-grade, broadband access

— User-friendly access and set up through T-Mobile’s Connection Manager software

— Superior, name-brand venue partners

— A variety of pricing plans that are easy to understand and control

— Dedicated 24/7 customer care

— Support for customers’ security solutions, such as virtual private networks, encryption and personal firewalls.

With 802.1x, customers now have the ability to access information from anywhere on the HotSpot network in a more secure environment. For mobile professionals and their CIOs, this means employees can make the places they already go their virtual office away from the office.

“CIOs across the country have been asking for enhanced security and we’re the first US wireless carrier to deliver it,” said Joe Sims, vice president and general manager of T-Mobile HotSpot. “The roll-out of 802.1x across our network will enable IT managers and business professionals to use T-Mobile HotSpot as a more secure virtual extension of their corporate networks and offices. Today, one of the final barriers to significant corporate adoption of Wi-Fi was removed for professionals and companies looking to enhance their mobility strategy.”

Unlike other Wi-Fi providers that have an inconsistent or fragmented network topology, T-Mobile leverages its nationwide wireless network infrastructure — the same infrastructure used for its wide area GSM/GPRS network — to service each of its more than 4,700 HotSpot locations across the country. This allows T-Mobile to continuously monitor the performance of each location from a national operations center to ensure optimal performance and reliability, far beyond that offered by other Wi-Fi operators. For customers, that means they can have a more high-speed, quality wireless connection, where they go, and when they need it.

Customers wishing to take advantage of the enhanced security provided by 802.1x need to download and install the latest version of the T-Mobile Connection Manager software. Previous versions of the software can also be automatically updated. Having this software will help customers to automatically detect and logon to the T-Mobile HotSpot network and access the most up-to-date information for all T-Mobile HotSpot locations. Connection Manager software is available to download for free at www.t-mobile.com/hotspot. Free CD versions of the software are also available at many T-Mobile retail stores and participating T-Mobile HotSpot locations.