WiFi Technology and Innovative Applications

1
Wi-Fi Technology and Innovative Applications

• Brian Van Lieshout WEBbeams
• Bill Appleby Visual Produx

2
Seminar Objectives

• What are Wi-Fi and Hotspots?
• Wi-Fi Past, Present and Future.
• Public and Private wireless networks.
• Using your wireless network to its fullest.

3
Brief History of Wi-Fi and Hotspots

• Wi-Fi is based on the 2.4GHz frequency band.
• Developed by the military and was licensed for
  ISM(Industrial, Scientific, and Medical) use.
• Throughout the late 90s and early 00s, spectrum
  was deregulated, making it an unlicensed band
  available for public use.
• Cost of Wi-Fi hardware and consumer devices was
  relatively expensive
• Hotspots are locations that utilize Wi-Fi.

4
Where We Are Today

• More than 45 million business laptops (two-thirds
  of the total in use) are Wi-Fi capable.
• The costs of Wi-Fi hardware and customer devices
  are coming down, making it affordable to more
  people. More consumers are adapting to the
  technology.
• Consumer acceptance is moving from an early
  adopter market to mass adoption.
• People are realizing the many applications for
  Wi-Fi.

5
Where is the Future Headed ?

• Wi-Fi devices including laptops, PDAs,
  Smartphones, becoming smaller, faster, and less
  expensive with more built-in features.
• United Nations International Telecommunication
  Union report predicts, more than 20 million
  people in the US, will use Wi-Fi by 2007.
• WiFi will be mainstream. People will use WiFi
  like cell phones are used today. People will
  demand a high-quality and secure service.

6
Wireless Technologies
7
Benefits of a Wireless Network

• Attracts new customers
• Creates loyal customers
• Additional revenue stream
• Online advertising
• Increases your sales and services

8
Why invest in quality Wi-Fi

• Easy to use
• Works all of the time no matter what device or
  operating system.
• Compatible with all Internet Browsers including
  Internet Explorer, Netscape Navigator, Safari
• Quality technical support and state-of-the-art
  security

9
The Decision Free vs Fee

• Is it better for me to go with Fee Based or Free
  Access?
• Do I need to give it away because my neighbor is?
• What is your average customer ticket revenue?
• Wide open free Internet attracts hackers.
• Wide open free access vs. controlled free access.
• Fee access brings in subscribers from your
  providers Roaming Network.

10
Free Access Methods

• Wide Open
• WEP Encryption
• Example 1FD567AC345SA1268AD6F4CEA
• User / Password (Unlimited)
• User / Password (Limited)

11
Methods Of Charging Your Customer

• Prepaid Cards
• Secure On-Line Payment

Wireless Users Subscription Options

• Pay-Per-Use
• Daily Subscription Plans
• Monthly Subscription Plans

12
Sample User Statistics
13
Security Issues

• Unprotected wireless networks give hackers an
  untraceable way to launch attacks across the
  Internet.
• Drive-by spamming
• Viruss
• Spyware
• Sniffing the air

14
Basic Hotspot Setup
15
Security Problems

• A cheap Access Point or Router will allow the
  PCs on the network to see each other. This is
  bad because personal information and files can be
  stolen.
• This commonly happens when businesses take the
  go it alone approach and uses commonly
  available home based hardware.

16
Security Solutions

• A secure Access Point from a Hotspot Service
  Provider puts firewalls between the PCs on the
  network so that everyones personal information
  is protected
• It is important to protect yourself and your
  customers.

17
Authentication Example
18
Example Login Screen
19
Roaming Benefits

• Bring in more people to your location.
• Customers want mobility with their secure WiFi
  subscription like they have with their cell
  phone.
• They want to enter their same username and
  password, no matter where they are.

20
Benefits Of Working With A Provider

• You dont have to be a geek
• Provider will insure that you have good coverage
  throughout your facility
• Plug -n- Play Hotspots
• Tech Support
• Security problems are addressed
• You can focus on your business

21
Things You Should Expect from your Wi-Fi Provider

• Somebody who really cares about your needs.
• 24/7 Technical Support.
• Plug-n-Play technology.
• Built in Security.
• Promotional materials and signage.
• Location listing in online wireless hotspot
  directories and Part of a large roaming network.
• Offers both quality service and innovative
  products.

22
Digital Wireless Signage
23
Wireless Security Camera

• Remote Monitoring
• Camera can be viewed anywhere with a web browser
• Can be used to record motion after hours
• Helps reduce insurance costs

24
VoIP Voice Over IP

• Phone calls over the Internet
• Quality has surpassed cell phones and is just
  below standard phone lines
• Hotspot users can use soft phones to make calls
  from their laptops or PDAs
• Owners can use hard phones to save on long
  distance calls