Wireless LAN connectivity company iPass Inc. has teamed up with Intel Corp. (Nasdaq: INTC) in a bid to develop software that eases wired and wireless connectivity issues for the chipmaker's forthcoming Banias processor (see Intel, iPass Seal WiFi Deal).

The multi-year deal, the value of which neither company will reveal, will initially see iPass working to ensure that laptops using the Banias processor and the associated 802.11 module, which is code-named Calexico, will work with its client software (see IPass Blocks 'Rogue' WLANs). The aim is to give the notebook user one application that handles all different types of network connection, according to John Sidline, corporate communications advisor at iPass.

Unstrung wondered whether the iPass deal might relate to Intel's part in Cometa Networks' bid to put wireless LAN access points across the U.S. (see Rainbow Unveiled). "It's not officially part of that," says Sidline.

However, there are plenty of ties between the three companies. Mark Christensen, VP and director of Intel Capital's communications sector, is on the board at both iPass and Cometa. Intel Capital has also invested an undisclosed amount of money in iPass. However, Sidline insists that iPass's previous ties with Intel are not the reason that his company won this latest deal.

The Banias chip is expected to be available in the first half of next year.

— Dan Jones, Senior Editor, Unstrung
http://www.unstrung.com