Boingo Wireless to Power Skype Wi-Fi Access Worldwide

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Boingo Wireless^® and Skype™ today announced a new agreement that will allow Skype users to access more than 100,000 Boingo Wi-Fi hotspots worldwide, and pay using Skype Credit. The feature, called Skype Access™, will be embedded into Skype as a core feature, first in the Skype for Mac 2.8 Beta software released today and then in versions of Skype for other operating systems sometime in 2009.

“This is a great example of a product enhancement that makes Skype easier to use everywhere.”

The new application lets users connect to a Boingo Wi-Fi hotspot with a single click and to pay per minute only for what they use. Skype Access actively scans for available Boingo hotspots and presents a pop-up dialogue box displaying the price per minute to use the Boingo network using Skype Credit. Boingo’s Terms of Service and Acceptable Use Policy apply and access to all Internet services will be provided on a simple, per minute billing basis.

Boingo gives people the best choice of Wi-Fi hotspots by combining more than 100,000 locations from more than 150 leading Wi-Fi operators into one worldwide network spanning 90 countries.

“With Boingo and Skype Access, Skype users will be able to access hotspots around the world and know that they can get high-quality speed on the Boingo Network for their Skype calls,” said Luis Alfonso Serrano, vice president of network strategy for Boingo Wireless. “Boingo provides digital nomads – no matter where they are in the world – with an easy and fast way to get online.”

By sharing one authentication and enrollment process, one download and one payment method, the Skype-Boingo collaboration clears a path between one of the most popular communications platforms on the Internet with the world’s largest network of Wi-Fi hotspot operators.

“Skype Access is perfect for those times when you need to make a few Skype calls or send some instant messages while you’re on the go. You only pay for what you use, and there’s no need to fiddle with credit cards or log-in details,” said Scott Durchslag, Skype’s Chief Operating Officer. “This is a great example of a product enhancement that makes Skype easier to use everywhere.

Skype Access will be embedded into the Skype client as a core feature. In addition to Skype Credit and a Wi-Fi-enabled laptop, users must have Skype for Mac 2.8 Beta installed and running. Prices will vary based on location and currency. There are no connection fees or monthly charges for Skype Access.

About Boingo Wireless

Boingo Wireless, Inc. is the global market leader in Wi-Fi. Boingo makes it easy for consumers to enjoy Wi-Fi access on their laptop or mobile device at more than 100,000 hotspots worldwide -- including airports, hotels, cafes and metropolitan hot zones -- with a single account. Through its Concourse Communications Group, LLC subsidiary, Boingo operates wired and wireless networks at 30 airports worldwide, including 24 of the top 100 North American airports. More information about Boingo and Concourse is available at http://www.boingo.com and http://www.concoursecommunications.com.

About Skype

Founded in 2003, Skype is revolutionizing the way people communicate around the world. Skype has more than 370 million registered users globally who use Skype software to communicate for free through voice and video calls as well as instant messages. Skype generates revenue through its premium offerings, such as calls made to and from landlines and mobiles, voicemail, call forwarding, and SMS. Skype is used in almost every country on Earth, and people have made more than 100 billion minutes worth of free Skype-to-Skype calls. Conversations over Skype can take place on computers, mobile devices and Skype Certified™ hardware. Skype certifies and sells hundreds of hardware products from more than 50 partners, and works with hundreds of third-party developers who have created plug-ins to extend Skype’s functionality.

Skype is an eBay company (NASDAQ: EBAY). Learn more and download Skype at www.skype.com.

Access to a broadband Internet connection is required. Skype is not a replacement for your traditional telephone service and can not be used for emergency calling.

Boingo, Boingo Wireless, Boingo Mobile, the Boingo Wireless Logo and Don’t Just Go. Boingo! are registered trademarks of Boingo Wireless, Inc. All other trademarks are the properties of their respective owners.

Skype, associated trade marks and logos and the “S” symbol are trade marks of Skype Limited.