Fixed/Mobile Convergence and Beyond

Chapter 10. Hotspot and Hotzone Access

The versatility and convenience of wireless Internet access have expanded beyond the home and office with the commercial availability of low-cost WiFi products. Every home with an Internet connection can now support its own home hotspot for under $100 with high-speed (54Mbps) WiFi routers. As with any technology, the business world began to investigate how it could be used for profit, and commercial hotspots began popping up several years ago. Initial WiFi/Internet hotspots were deployed in coffee shops and airports, where the strategy was to attract customers to spend more time in the establishment (i.e., buy another cup of coffee) or where there was a captive audience that needed immediate communication ...