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Even though the concept is still budding, users are signing up with wireless Internet service providers (WISPs) in all parts of the globe, but the services vary wildly -- as do the providers.

Because the market is still young, it may take some time to sort out the leaders, but IDC analyst Alex Slawsby is convinced telecoms will win the wireless ISP war, in the long run.

According to Gartner mobile wireless research director Phil Redman, the key is to determine what kind of service is needed before shopping around and settling on a particular ISP.

For constant access to e-mail, a BlackBerry device with access provided by Research In Motion might be most suitable.

To connect with a company intranet from a hotel 2,000 miles away, service from Ipass -- which caters specifically to the corporate market -- is probably better.

But Boingo could be the best choice, right now, for just about anyone looking for wireless access to the Internet.

News source: NewsFactor - In Search of the World's Greatest Wireless ISP

Boingo's Strength

"Boingo is an aggregator," Redman explained. "They don't have an infrastructure."

That is the same model once used by the company's founder, Sky Dayton, to build a fixed-line broadband business within EarthLink.

Boingo is partnering with infrastructure companies that are building out multiple networks of wireless hot spots across the United States. Already, the wireless ISP has relationships with Wayport, Surf and Sip, Nomadix, RoomLinx, Air2Lan, Pacific Direct Connect, HereUAre and AirPath. More alliances are on in the works, it said.

Boingo currently offers services via more than 500 hot spots across the United States. Upcoming buildout phases will add hundreds more. Many of these access points are in hotels, airports and other public places.

The Big Guns

But Boingo may not be able to withstand the marketing onslaught of the huge telecommunications companies that are seeing wireless Internet access as a great opportunity for growth.

Alex Slawsby, an analyst with IDC, believes that the telecoms will win the wireless ISP war in the long run.

"It's really no contest," he told Wireless NewsFactor.

However, even Slawsby admits the game is not yet over because the wireless-services landscape is still evolving.

He noted that the wireless Internet services offered in the past -- by failed companies like Omnisky and Metricom -- offered data only, not voice service. "We're at a point where there is some transition," he said.

According to Redman, the communications process is still too fragmented. "You pay $100 for voice, $50 here for WLAN , $60 there for e-mail access. It's too much."

On the Bill

The way around this problem, Redman suggested, is for wireless access providers to partner, offering combined service packages. Otherwise Slawsby's prediction likely will come true -- the major telecommunications companies will invade the space and muscle everyone else out of it.

Slawsby expects that with 2.5G wireless services being rolled out over the next year, the major carriers will be in a position to offer Internet access with great coverage and at reasonable prices.

The next step, he says, will be for the companies to figure out how to bill for data services.

There will undoubtedly be a lot more change ahead in this arena, including some unpredictable growing pains. The market is "fairly immature," Redman said.