| WiFi is a very hot commodity worldwide...for both | | | | shops. In today's competitive environment, |
| users & those wanting to cash in on the business | | | | offering complimentary hot zones can be the |
| potential. Below you'll find some things to consider | | | | determining factor when customers weigh your |
| if you're one of those interested in the business | | | | offering against that of your |
| potential of WiFi. If you have more to add....please | | | | competitors.However, should you find that billing |
| do.I'll try to keep this as simple as possible.Here's | | | | your customers is what you want to do, find a |
| some simple ideas you should consider for | | | | provider who can help you do that. Your hotspot |
| becoming a WiFi Hotspot.* To turn your business | | | | kit should come with software that will enable you |
| into a hotspot, you really only need 2 things:- | | | | to take credit cards right over your gateway (the |
| Hotspot Kit (which should include hardware, | | | | page the users 'see' when they try to access the |
| software, and remote monitoring)- High Speed | | | | web using your hotspot). You'll likely partner with |
| Internet (whatever is appropriate for your | | | | that provider in that revenues would be shared |
| situation....DSL, T1, or DS3 connectivity)* Before | | | | by both you and "them". Thae provider you |
| you order your hotspot kit, you need to first | | | | choose will make sure the hotspot is running |
| determine what type of service you will need:- | | | | efficiently. This allows you to focus on your key |
| Single Access Point OR- Multiple Access PointThe | | | | business and to receive a profit-share check each |
| number of connection points you need is | | | | and every month your customers log on to the |
| determined by the amount of area that you wish | | | | net in your hotspot.The above is a simplistic |
| to make available for wireless internet access. For | | | | description of what you'll need to think about |
| example....larger hotels will require one access point | | | | before becoming a WiFi hotspot. Do your |
| per every 20 rooms (on average) while a coffee | | | | homework along these lines and you'll have a |
| shop can adequately service their clientele with | | | | decent foundation to make a good business sense |
| just a single access point.* The last decision you | | | | decision.Michael is the owner of FreedomFire |
| will need to make is whether or not to bill your | | | | Communications....including and Michael also authors |
| clients for wireless internet access. Today, more | | | | Broadband Nation where you're always welcome |
| and more enterprises are offering wireless | | | | to drop in and catch up on the latest BroadBand |
| internet access as a value-added service in an | | | | news, tips, insights, and ramblings for the masses. |
| effort to attract more visitors to their hotels | | | | |