iPass aggregates Wi-Fi hotspot networks (among other types of Internet access). That is to say, it has partnerships with a ton of Wi-Fi hotspot providers such as T-Mobile, AT&T, and Wayport, and many more overseas. With a single iPass account, a person can access all the hotspots run by iPass partners, plus get dial-up access and Internet access on some hotel Ethernet networks with no extra charges. Last year, iPass started reselling 3G access too, using Sprint and Verizon's EV-DO Rev.A networks.

The problem with iPass has always been the same: It was just for corporations. You could use it only if your company bought it for you. There were some regional companies reselling iPass service to individuals, but they were few and far between, and charges could vary.

Finally, iPass has seen the light. Today it launched a consumer and small-business service called iPassConnect Mobility., Here's the gist: You pay $29.95 a month to get unfettered access to every iPass partner hotspot in the U.S. (there are over 24,000 locations, including Starbucks and McDonalds) on your Windows laptop. For $69.95. you can use the hotspots plus 3G via Sprint's EV-DO network (not Verizon's, for now), if you buy an EVDO card from iPass. And you also get global Wi-Fi options. An extra $20 lets you use all 90,000 iPass hotspots worldwide (There's no point in trying to use Sprint EVDO overseas, of course--it isn't there).

You can get the full scoop in our news story.