Wi-Fi access via TMN mobile phones (EAP-SIM)

Monday, April 20, 2009

TMN just presented a pioneer service at world level. It is the result of the implementation of a new Wi-Fi authentication functionality. As of today TMN customers will be able to access the Internet through their mobile phones via any Wi-Fi hotspot with a simple key click PT’s mobile operator consolidates its leadership in terms of wireless Internet access once again, implementing a new technology. It is called EAP-SIM enabling automatic and cost-free Wi-Fi authentication through the mobile phone.

TMN positions itself thus as the first operator worldwide to launch EAP-SIM, being the second operator in the Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA) – the main international organisation promoting Wi-Fi – to enable Wi-Fi users to access the Internet through the credentials of the SIM card of the mobile phone without having to enter a username and a password.

Wi-Fi service on the mobile phone
As of today TMN customers will be able to access the Internet through the mobile phone via one of the more than 1,500 Wi-Fi hotspots, without having to enter a username and password, which was required up to now when connecting to wireless Internet. After the automatic authentication is concluded, the Internet connection is established by means of a key click. This feature allows a faster access to the service and consists of the introduction of an innovative technology designated 802.1x in the Wi-Fi network, enabling user authentication through the credentials of the SIM Card of the mobile phone (EAP-SIM). This innovation reinforces service access security as it dispenses with password use, being based on a more evolved security protocol.

TMN proposes to extend the scope of use of the Wi-Fi service to the majority of its devices, notably smartphones and mobile broadband boards so that any TMN or Sapo broadband customer may access the Wi-Fi service in a plug and play regime.

Wi-Fi service on the portable PC
Moreover, Sapo ADSL, Telepac ADSL and Meo customers will be able to access the Internet cost-free (traffic up to 2GB/ month within Portugal), until 31 December in public spaces with PT Wi-Fi coverage. To sign up for this campaign, which is not subject to any loyalty requirements, it is only necessary to enter the Sapo ADSL Customer Area at http://clientes.sapo.pt, http://clientes.telepac.pt for Telepac ADSL customers or http://www.meo.pt for Meo customers.

TMN, which also provides PT’s Wi-Fi service, has an international coverage of circa 30,000 wireless internet zones (hotspots) and a national coverage composed of more than 1,500 such zones throughout the country, comprising innumerous public spaces.

Apart from the fact that the Wi-Fi service is included in TMN’s mobile broadband tariffs, and remains cost-free for Sapo ADSL, Telepac ADSL and Meo customers, TMN now allows an even faster and easier to the service through the mobile phone and consolidates its pioneer positioning at world level in massifying wireless Internet access.