WARWICK, R.I., Aug. 26, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- ICOA, Inc (OTCBB:ICOA), a provider of neutral-host broadband wireless Internet solutions in high traffic public locations such as airports, marinas and restaurants, announced today an agreement to integrate its rapidly growing Wi-Fi hotspot network into the iPass (Nasdaq:IPAS) Global Broadband Roaming Network. ICOA anticipates the integration of its networks into the iPass virtual network will be completed by late September 2004.
Once integration is complete, users of the iPass service will be able to seamlessly and securely access the Internet and corporate networks using the iPassConnect(tm) service interface at public airport and marina ICOA hotspot locations. ICOA's Wi-Fi hotspot footprint now serves over 20 million airport passengers per year in six U.S. airports, 34 marinas with 18,000 slips in California, Rhode Island and Massachusetts, and other high traffic public locations nationally.
"We are pleased to reach this agreement with iPass, a global provider of secure enterprise connectivity, which will allow a new enterprise customer base of over 500,000 unique users per month access to the ICOA networks," said Rick Schiffmann, ICOA Executive Vice President. "As a neutral-host provider, ICOA deploys Wi-Fi networks open to all users on all platforms. This agreement is a significant step forward in ICOA's strategy to make our infrastructure available to the broadest possible customer segments."
iPass delivers enterprises simple, secure and manageable connectivity services for mobile workers as they move between office, home, and remote locations. iPass combines its global network of dial-up, Ethernet and the world's largest Wi-Fi footprint with support for campus wireless LANs and home broadband connections to deliver a unified and comprehensive solution.
"The ICOA hotspot network of high traffic airports, marinas and restaurants is a strong addition to the iPass Global Broadband Roaming Network," said Dave Ballard, iPass Manager of Business Development. "The growing ICOA footprint of top regional airports, the largest marina footprint on the West Coast, and other high traffic public locations nationally provide our enterprise customers with increasing choices, locations and convenience."
About ICOA, Inc.
ICOA, Inc., (OTCBB:ICOA) located in Warwick, RI, is a leading provider of Neutral-Host wireless and wired broadband Internet networks in high traffic public locations. ICOA, Inc. provides design, installation, operations, maintenance and management of neutral, common-use 802.11x standard WLAN Wi-Fi Hotspot and Hot Zone infrastructure throughout airport facilities, Quick Service Restaurants, Marinas and Hospitality locations, as well as High Speed Internet Terminals (WebCenter3000(tm)). ICOA currently operates or manages over 410 installations serving more than 20 million, including 325 Panera Bread locations, the San Francisco International Airport (SFO), Spokane International Airport (GEG), the Greater Baton Rouge, Louisiana Airport (BTR), Sacramento International Airport (SMF), Manchester Airport (MHT), Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV), Fresno-Yosemite International Airport (FYI), 33 Marinas in California and Rhode Island's Newport Harbor 'Hot Zone'. For additional information, please visit www.icoacorp.com.
'Safe Harbor'
The foregoing contains "forward-looking statements" which are based on management's beliefs as well as on a number of assumptions concerning future events and information currently available to management. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which are not a guarantee of performance and are subject to a number of uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside ICOA's control that could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements. For a more detailed description of the factors that could cause such a difference, please see ICOA's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. ICOA disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. This information is presented solely to provide additional information to further understand the results of ICOA.