WiFi hot spot requirement for retail

[hksduhksdu]

Hi everyone:

I would like to know what is the requirement to setup a retail such as a cafe to a WiFi hot spot? Do I need to get any special license? When getting the internet service from provider, do we get it as business plan and we serve as an internet service provider to end-users? I am interested in knowing all legal terms and requirements I need to know for making a WiFi hot spot.

Thank you very much.

Andy

[a13088]

Which city you will provide such service ? Is it free to customers ?

[yonah]

The legality depends on where you are located. For the most part, Wi-Fi is designed to use 'free' wireless spectrum that most countries in the world honor. Just like you don't pay additional services and fees to use a cordless phone (not a mobile or wireless phone) wi-fi works on the same premise.

However, different countries may have different laws concerning this matter, and it is best to check with your local governments.

As for the ISP issue - while customers are using your hotspot you effectively become their ISP - because you are providing them, albeit temporarily, with internet access. Most people that offer either free or pay per use Internet access, force people to log on to a web site, agree to the terms of service, and/or provide payment before they can go online. Most Wi-Fi Hotspot in a box appliances do this for you.

As for what to charge, that depends on your model. For example, you might offer pay per use service, but that could mean that you would lose valuable table space to customers that are only there to use wi-fi - you could also provide 1 free hour of access with a purchase and that would prompt people to buy more - which might be better than charging for access.

Hope this helps,
--Yonah

[kramer_69]

There are some cafe's that offer free internet as long as you have a wireless laptop/ PDA ect. But these are not HotSpots really.
It is just the cafe owner sharing his DSL or Cable modem wireless connection with his customers for free. (with a beverage order ofcourse)
They usually just post the SSID on the wall for you and then you are set. No encryption, all wide open.

With a HotSpot like T-Mobile, you do need an account setup and will pay a monthly fee. Which is a joke if you ask me. I would like to remain incognito when Im online, as we all should.

The free wireless cafe's are popping up everywhere now. I would not pay to open a HotSpot account. Why should T-Mobile make money from users at a cafe anyway???

[a13088]

Our company cooperates with restaurants and cafes in providing free hotspot service in Beijing. The service is very popular and there are getting more and more cafes joining our networks.

We provide full installation, equipment, customised promotion materials, website listing, customer and technical support to the restaurants and cafes. Restaurants and cafes pay us the cost and are responsible for their broadband monthly charge.

All service and location details can be checked from the website www.wlan.com.cn


Under our free hotspot networks, all logos, posters, ssid are the same.

Our service is much more popular than the service from carriers and Starbucks, because it is free and simple to use for customers.

[dfw2000]

For most people, the simplest way to operate a retail based hot-spot is to share a dsl/cable connection, and provide access to all customers. You may want to change the SSID periodically so that wifi users will need to come in and purchase something.

If you charge for Internet access the retail operator is more likely to be violating his/her Internet accebtable use policy with the carrier.

It is my belief that Internet access is becoming a requirement for business, a utility like running water or electricity. A hundred years ago it was not uncommon for a hotel operator to charge extra for a bathroom in the customer's room, other customers could walk down the hall to a shared bathroom/shower facility. I think Internet access will follow a similar evolution.

The various "hot spot in a box" systems offer the cabability for timed access. You could time customer access based on their ticket, perhaps U$5.00 equals one hour access etc.

[Wildcats]

This outfit provides a "hotspot in a box".
Boingo using Colubris (http://www.boingo.com/hso/hsiab.html)

It uses a Colubris wireless access point with integrated firewall. I was able to use this Colubris access point/firewall at the CWSP course. It is really really easy to configure.