Wireless networks and hotspot market today
Nowadays trend is to provide free wireless internet access but usually with poor quality service. Most business managers / owners simply choose to activate a wireless router (as they would do for their home) and believe it’s enough to provide adequate service to their users. In the past, probably, it was sufficient to just cover an area with wireless access (hotspot solution). In recent years wireless networks and Internet access in public spaces are considered as necessary services by customers / visitors. Most customers now have smart phones, tablets or laptops and expect to stay online everywhere they go. The contemporary approach besides simple covering an area (coverage) requires also planning about the capacity, quality and availability of the offered wireless service.
Common problems of wireless networks using home equipment
• limited number of concurrent connected active users
• one user can consume 100% of available bandwidth
• not sufficient coverage of large areas or multiple rooms
• lack of history and statistics regarding network status necessary for troubleshooting
New ways of interaction with existing and prospective clients
WiFi hotspot is an essential service, usually supplied free of charge to any public gathering space (cafes, hotels, libraries, gyms, etc.) but unfortunately with poor quality. Negative comments and low ratings on popular online booking and travel websites as well as on social media networks can be disastrous for the business or simply give advantage to a competitor.