Intel is supporting RoamPoint, a spinoff of The Cloud that aims to resell hotspot access as a clearinghouse to providers: (This is a revision of yesterday's story on RoamPoint based on many clarifications provided via email from a RoamPoint spokesman.)
RoamPoint has elements of Cometa Networks, in that they don't want to brand themselves, but resell their network to operators who will brand the service and offer it to end users. Unlike Cometa, however, they plan to be a pure clearinghouse, aggregating hotspots to resell. Boingo Wireless has discussed this model in the past, in which they merely become the unbranded middleman. iPass also has a clearinghouse offering in addition to its branded corporate service.
The announcement says that RoamPoint will work with existing GSM clearinghouses which will make roaming especially easy for mobile operators that offer Wi-Fi. Intel is supporting the effort by helping RoamPoint find partners; it has no financial stake, according to a spokesman.
The release doesn't mention RoamPoint's global focus, but mostly discusses European opportunities. The Cloud, the UK hotspot network, spun off RoamPoint and is the initial partner. Other members include Transnet, Wifix, and Arymx.