Hotspot 2.0: Today’s Evolving Wireless Technology

The next big thing and the most widely anticipated technology in the networked world is hotspot 2.0. With the advent of hotspot 2.0 it is possible for a user to connect to an endless number of Wi-Fi hotspots, allowing you to move from one to the other without any interference. Its primary intention is to make the process of Wi-Fi roaming easy to use and secure as the cellular connection. It completely hopes to transform today’s hassle prone experience of logging on to Wi-Fi hotspots which is the most tedious step to access the internet.

How Does It Work?

The network and your handset- that is it! It should work together to figure out everything you need. The hotspot technology is a Wi-Fi authentication and management tool. It defines how Wi-Fi connection and mobile devices interact with each other. Hotspot 2.0 smoothes out the connection process without breaking up streaming services, conversations and data transfer. Its main focus is on interoperability that allows mobile devices to move fluently between different hotspots without the effort of updating and reloading information.

To work efficiently, hotspot 2.0 uses some of the exclusive wireless technology such as WPA2, which is the latest reliable encryption technique. It also makes use of EPA, an important protocol that helps move security details between servers. For instance, with EPA technology Smartphones with SIM cards can store Wi-Fi security credentials. This particular feature assists the devices to move between several compatible networks without requiring to log in with separate password validation.

Hotspot 2.0 also brings in 802.11u wireless communication to networks. This technology allows the devices to receive information from a Wi-Fi network without actually joining the network. As a result, the whole network-switching process becomes more flexible. The 802.11u technology predominantly influences behind the scenes work and inspires both the manufacturer and the provider to develop products and services designed to work together.

Its Impact

There is a widespread and growing use of Wi-Fi across different public venues such as schools, hotels, public transport hubs, malls and other retail outlet. In all these locations, the service provider obviously wants to connect their subscriber to their own broadband connection using the venue’s available Wi-Fi network. So how does it help?  This situation provides an unparalleled opportunity for the enterprise to wholesale their wireless LAN capacity to the operators by charging them periodic fees for Wi-Fi network access. Enterprises often challenged with operational expenses and massive capital can efficiently turn WLANs into profit hub while simultaneously building more industrial –strength wireless network that can help to improve the user’s experience.

HS2.0 has been developed and promoted by equipment suppliers and carriers. This advanced Wi-Fi technology enables business enterprises to allow customer easy access to the commercial wireless networks and liberate them to use their personal data plans. Hotspot 2.0 together with 802.11u protocol offers the easiest way to get customized services with just a few clicks on the icon. It has been observed that people do not only want coupon offers but actually want value added to their experience.

Hotspot opens the door for several different business models that benefits the enterprise. For instance, a hotel may offer Wi-Fi capacity to one or more carrier at nominal cost to augment incremental revenue for its prevailing Wi-Fi network.

Earlier, both the device and the users had to remember the SSID to get connectivity and get access again in the future. However, with HS2.0, the need for SSID is greatly minimized. Mobile devices such as Smartphones or tablets will automatically select the best Wi-Fi network based on the service level agreement, roaming agreement and other options that are set up between enterprises and carriers. Moreover, because of an improved infrastructure, the enterprises are now smart enough to figure out any challenges with the network instead of involving the IT.

Equipment vendors are also supporting HS2.0 in their software with an added advantage of turning on the network with the existing equipment. Moreover, most of the handset vendors not only are supporting this technology but also are preparing it within their operating system. In a nutshell, enabling HS2.0 in any device only require software upgradation to the user devices and existing infrastructure.

Hotspot 2.0 is still an emerging technology to make the wireless world even more impressive.