cell-phone wireless access

[czy11421]

I am curious about cell-phone wireless access.

I have a coffe bar. I want to service my customers free wireless internet access. But my customers always suggest me that I should provide cell phone a free wireless internet access, not only for laptop, PDA.

Yes, cell phone has build-in internet function, but not every user like to pay for cell internet service. Now question is, is it possible to do this, let cell phone join in the free wireless net? what kind of software and hardware for this ?

Thanks

[M/Q]

I am not sure where you are located, but that would mean that you become a phone company. I am confused as are these same people able to use their cell phones from your location? If so they then have the ability to access the Internet if their plan calls for it and do not need a hotspot. It usually is expensive, so I am assuming they want that part free. You would have to also take into consideration all the different phone services that are available in your area as well.

For instance you can get a Sprint cell phone and data plan that will allow you to access the Internet using your phone or a pc card located in your computer anywhere you can get a Sprint signal.

[czy11421]

I am in NYC. Yes, my customer could use cell phone in my location. But they always complain that the company cell internet service is too expensive. And anybody like free charge service, isn't it ?

Thanks

[M/Q]

Well, you would have that same expense then and even more as you would be competing with Sprint, Verizon, Cingular and so on. I doubt that you could even startup as a telecom. I suspect that is under tight governmental control.

[czy11421]

[QUOTE=M/Q I doubt that you could even startup as a telecom. [/QUOTE]

Sorry, I am not want to open "telecom". My store has DSL internet connection. So, is it possible that the cellphone user could share the DSL in my store through wireless ?

Thank

[M/Q]

No, the cell phone is mated up to the service provider aka Sprint, Cingular or what ever. How would you expect that to be useable by a 802.11 device. There are some smartphone/pdas that have 802.11 cards in them, but that is totally different. As I mentioned, the telecomm types would not take too kindly to you setting up a wireless PBX. It is just not feasible, trust me on this. I am not really wanting to waste anymore time on this.