Hotspots

AT&T offers and then rescinds free WiFi for iPhone users (again)

Lynnette Luna — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 01:23:02 -0400

What is up with AT&T and its intentions to offer iPhone users free WiFi access at its 17,000 hotspots? The operator keeps dangling the carrot in front of iPhone users only to yank it back again. Last week, the company posted a web page promoting free WiFi access for iPhone users at its hotspots only to have AT&T media relations folks to say it was a false alarm.

Back in May, just hours after posting information that told iPhone users they would receive free access to AT&T's public WiFi hotspots, the company pulled all references to the service from its Web site. The AT&T site previously noted "access to AT&T WiFi hot spots" was included in all iPhone subscriber plans. Why are plans continually released only to be pulled back again?

For more:
- check out Wi-Fi Net News

AT&T gives HSPA a boost in time for 3G iPhone

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 06:59:56 -0400

Just in time for the rumored June 9 iPhone debut, AT&T is giving its HSPA network a big speed boost. The company says that by the end of June it will have deployed HSUPA throughout its 3G markets, giving its customers downlink speeds between 700 Kbps and 1.7 Mbps and uplink speeds between 500 Kbps and 1.2 Mbps.

Also key to this speed increase is the fact that AT&T launched a new bundled offering called AT&T Net Reach, that combines AT&T's wireless and wireline networks, giving subscribers access to both AT&T's landline high speed Internet service and its wireless services such as AT&T's WiFi hotspots or its HSPA or Edge wireless data network. The Net Reach plans start at $79.95 per month and can be purchased by new or existing residential and business customers who subscribe to AT&T's high speed Internet and the LaptopConnect services.-Sue Marek

For more:
- see this Net Reach press release
- and this HSPA press release

Related stories:
AT&T looks to roll out HSPA in time for 3G iPhone
AT&T: HSPA will provide 20 Mbps data speeds

What's up with free WiFi for iPhone users at AT&T hotspots?

Mon, 12 May 2008 06:59:56 -0400

AT&T hotspots are no longer enabling free WiFi access to iPhone users as reported in early May. According to an article in Computerworld, just hours after posting information that told iPhone users they would receive free access to AT&T's public WiFi hotspots, the company pulled all references to the service from its Web site. The AT&T site previously noted "access to AT&T WiFi hot spots" was included in all iPhone subscriber plans.

For more about AT&T's on-again, off-again WiFi for iPhone users:
- check out this article from Computerworld

AT&T grants iPhone users free hotspot use ... finally

Mon, 05 May 2008 06:59:56 -0400

Though not confirmed by AT&T, it appears that AT&T hotspots are now enabling free WiFi access to iPhone users. Several WiFi hotspots that folks tried offered iPhone users a custom portal to access free WiFi. A special formatted page asks the user for the iPhone mobile-phone number in order to access WiFi for free.

It's about time. Since last July, subscribers to AT&T's highest-speed DSL services have received free access to its WiFi hotspots throughout the country. In January, it began offering free WiFi to all DSL subscribers. But iPhone users have been left out of the fray.

For more about iPhone users being able to access free WiFi at AT&T hotspots:
- check out this report from MacRumors.com

BT helps businesses set up WiFi hotspots

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 06:59:53 -0400

BT has embarked on an initiative to help U.K. businesses turn their premises into WiFi hotspots. Businesses using BT Business Total Broadband can make their BT Business Hub into a BT Openzone wireless hotspot at no cost, allowing anyone visiting these businesses to log on to a separate Internet channel to access the Internet.

BT's initiative uses technology that acts like a separate broadband connection running through the enabled BT Business Hub. At the same time, the BT Business customer's data has priority by continuing to use a separate, secure Web connection.

For more about BT's WiFi initiative:
- check out this article from Unstrung

Related articles:
BT invests in FON BT report
Time Warner goes WiFi with FON FON report

Russia requires registration of WiFi devices, hotspots

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 06:59:54 -0400

So much for the ease of WiFi. Russia's newly formed regulatory super-agency, Rossvyazokhrankultura (short for the Russian Mass Media, Communications and Cultural Protection Service), is requiring the registration of every WiFi device and hotspot, according to news agency Fontanka.

The registration requirement also applies to home networks, laptops, smart phones and WiFi-enabled PDAs, and registration only permits use by the owner. Registration for personal devices reportedly takes 10 days, but registering a hotspot--including a home network--is more complicated, involving a set of documents and technological certifications. Any networks in Moscow or St. Petersburg need the additional approval of two federal agencies.

To find out more about Russia's new requirement:
- check out this article from Techworld

Related articles:
Analysts say Russian market big for WiMAX Russian WiMAX report
WiMAX arrives in Russia Russia WiMAX report

Samsung's t339 may be next Hotspot@Home phone

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 06:59:54 -0400

According to an FCC filing, Samsung's t339 has 802.11 built in, which has led to speculation that the device is slated for T-Mobile USA's Hotspot@Home service. The t339 would be yet another mid-range phone for the service, which got a BlackBerry 8300 Curve added to its lineup last September. In a recent interview with FierceBroadbandWireless, T-Mobile Product Manager David Sholkovitz said the operator plans to offer some 10 WiFi-enabled devices by the middle of this year that will work on the operator's Hotspot@Home UMA service.

For more about the WiFi-enabled device:
- check out this post from Engadget Mobile

Related articles:
Wi-Fi Alliance focuses on driving Wi-Fi enabled devices Report on WiFi devices
T-Mobile adds landline service to HotSpot-at-Home Report on T-Mobile's UMA service

iPass moves into consumer market

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 07:59:53 -0400

iPass announced today that it is moving into the consumer market. The company, whose core business is providing wireless connectivity services to the enterprise market, announced the availability of iPassConnect mobility service for individuals. The service enables business people and consumers to buy a subscription-based service, which was previously reserved for enterprises, directly from iPass.

"We had consumers ask how they could get our service," said Piero DePaoli, director of global product marketing. "Looking through our statistics, WiFi hotspots are great but very destination oriented. 3G services are up and coming and work well in big cities, but once you leave the big city, you get downgraded to slower speeds. And if you travel internationally, the moment you leave the country you're paying big fees."

The iPassConnect mobility service offers subscribers unlimited access to more than 95,000 WiFi hotspots as well as 3G service across the U.S. for a fixed monthly fee.

iPass is taking a conservative approach to the consumer market, viewing it as a niche part of its business, but as DePaoli said: "Consumerization is a huge trend and could become very powerful for us."

For more about iPass' consumer offering:
- check out this release

Related articles:
- iPass breaks 40,000 WiFi hotspot barrier in Europe Report
- 3G usage offers a business case for 4G Editorial

SPOTLIGHT: Novatel, AutoNet pushing EV-DO Rev. A in vehicles

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 07:59:52 -0400

Novatel Wireless and AutoNet Mobile announced they will use nationwide CDMA EV-DO Rev. A infrastructure to connect vehicles to the Web, turning automobiles into traveling WiFi hotspots of sorts. AutoNet developed an in-vehicle module for the service while Novatel has developed the Expedite E725 Express Mini Cad Module. The two companies are working with auto manufacturers and after-market OEMs to get the technology distributed more widely. Article

T-Mobile invests in femtocell maker

Thu, 06 Mar 2008 06:59:54 -0500

T-Mobile's venture arm has invested an undisclosed amount into the U.K.-based femtocell maker, Ubiquisys. Google, Accel Partners, Atlas Venture and Advent Venture Partners had previously invested in Ubiquisys. Cisco and Intel recently invested in femtocell company ip.access and Qualcomm has put money into Airvana.

T-Mobile said it plans to test Ubiquisys' femtocell technology in trials in Germany, the Netherlands and the U.K. in the coming months. Meanwhile, its U.S. subsidiary is using WiFi hotspots in the home as an alternative to a femtocell solution to improve coverage in the home. Once T-Mobile launches its 3G network in the U.S. we could see both femtocells and WiFi.

For more on T-Mobile's investment:
- read this article from the Guardian

Related articles:
Motorola, Netgear announce femtocell products Report
Cisco pours cash into U.K. femtocell developer Report