Click here to see our range of wireless hotspots and in-room broadband systems

What is a wireless hotspot?

"Hotspot" is the "cool" term for public spaces equipped with wireless Internet access. Or in other words, a place where you can connect to the Internet with your own Wi-Fi, or wireless-equipped device, such as a notebook computer, without cables. Of the estimated 150 million laptops, 14 million PDAs, and other emerging Wi-Fi devices sold per year, most now include the Wi-Fi feature as standard.

So a wireless hotspot is a device that lets you provide internet access to customers who have a laptop, iPhone, iPod, PSP, certain mobile phones, or other WiFi enabled devices.  A hotspot is similar to a standard wireless router or wireless access point you might find in the average home, only it usually has a much more powerful wireless transmitter, and it usually has some form of in-built accounting or billing system that allows you to restrict customer access.

A wireless hotspot is also referred to as wireless internet, or wifi.

Where are wireless hotspots used?

HotSpots are often found at restaurants, train stations, airports, libraries, coffee shops, bookstores, fuel stations, department stores, supermarkets and other public places. Many universities and schools have wireless networks in their campus.

Who uses Internet HotSpots?

Our wireless internet hotspots are being used around the country in hotels, resorts, caravan parks, cafes, shopping centres, cinemas, and a variety of other public places and businesses.

Wireless Internet access is in high demand by backpackers, travellers, families, students, and business people on the move who rely on the Internet as a vital line of communication and entertainment.

How far does the wireless signal reach?

Wireless networks have a relatively small coverage area, between zero and 100 metres per radio transceiver depending upon the surrounding building structure. In an open outdoor space the device can transmit between 100 and 300m. Indoors the device can transmit from 35 to 100m.

More typically, wireless internet signals work best in an open line-of-sight environment over distances under 50m.

The exact range of the signal at your site will depend on several factors, including the power output of the hotspot device you choose, the receiver strength of the customer's laptop device, and then obstructions such as buildings, trees, walls, water features which may be in the way of your transmitting path.

We can assist with additional external antennae to extend the range or improve the strength of your signal.

What equipment do I need?

For venues that already have a broadband internet connection, offering wireless access is as simple as purchasing one of our wireless access point devices. It is an easy way to turn an existing expense into profit.

A wireless hotspot plugs into your modem with a network cable, and then shares this internet connection amongst customers who connect via the wireless signal.  The hotspot transmits a wireless signal, which you can name to identify your signal from other local signals.  A typical wireless hotspot has a signal range of about 30 metres.  To extend the range beyond 30m requires the use of a more power hotspot, or of additional antenna, access points or repeaters.  Arinda can help you determine the exact equipment your site will require.

Is it easy to setup?

Yes.  And when you buy a HotSpot from Arinda we configure it for you, and ship it to you ready for immediate operation.  All you need to do is plug it into your internet connection.

What about the internet connection?

If you already have a broadband internet connection at your site then you can simply setup the hotspot to use your existing connection. However, you must check with your current ISP to ensure that they allow you to on=sell and share the internet connection.  Most ISPs either do not allow you to resell the internet, or they require you to pay additional charges.  If your current ISP does not allow you to on-sell the connection then you should consider changing ISP.

If your site does not already have an internet connection then you will need to setup a broadband ADSL internet connection. For a basic site we recommend a broadband internet connection of at least 256kbs downstream bandwidth, with at least 3GB of monthly downloads. However, the faster your connection, the more likely customers are to return time and time again, and the higher the price they will be willing to pay.

What payment methods can I accept?

You can choose to have customers pay you in cash, for which you issue them with the logon details (a ticket or username and password), and/or you can choose to accept credit cards so that the HotSpot is working for you 24/7 without any need for manual cash handling or staff involvement.

How does the internet billing system work?

Even though a wireless hotspot has built-in accounting and billing, it is still possible to use a hotspot to provide free access to customers.

A hotspot has a captive portal built in.  This means that there is no need for a WEP key or WPA key on your wireless signal.  Instead, you can leave your wireless signal open so that anyone can connect to it.  Once someone connects and they open their internet browser, they are automatically redirected to a logon page.  The user then cannot browse or use any internet access until they enter a code or username and password, or buy time with their credit card.  But once they do log in, they then have full internet access until their time runs out.

Payment cycle for credit card payments

Why should I use a wireless hotspot instead of a plain wireless router?

A hotspot is a much more secure and robust way of providing wireless internet access than simply putting a WEP key or WPA password on a standard wireless router.

How will my business benefit?

• Additional revenue stream

• Attracts new customers

• Rewards existing customers

• Improves your level of service

• Recoup the cost of your existing internet bill

• Entices repeat business & return customers

• Builds customer loyalty

• Can operate 24/7

• You keep 100% of the revenue

• Full control over pricing

• Zero Client Administration

• Includes all equipment

• Pre-paid card model

• Fully automated

• Simple user interface

• Simple administration

• User Account system retains unused customer credits for return use

• No IT knowledge required

• Simple to install

How much money can I make?

The exact return your hotspot will make depends entirely on the particular location at which you site it, your promotion of the service, the nature of the existing customer base, and the costs associated with your internet connection. Careful investigation should be made before installing an internet hotspot at any site.

Click here to use our Revenue Projection Calculator

What is the Surf Easy CAS Service?

Arinda has a solution called the Central Access Service (CAS) that allows hotspot users to also use the same accounts/tickets on Surf Easy internet cafes, and which can also link hotspots at different sites so that users can roam between them with the single user account.

What hotspot models are available?

Here are some popular models that you can find in Australia, New Zealand and USA.

Model	ZyXel ZyAir G-4100v2	Netcomm HS960	Linksys	Surf Easy
Photo
Board Manufacturer	Handlink	Handlink	Cisco/Linksys	Mikrotik
Wireless Signal Strength	17dBm / 200mW	17dBm / 200mW	18dBm, 251 mW	200mW to 800mW
Compatible with CAS?	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Advantages	Cheap (from $700) Standalone solution Has automatic ticket printer	Easy to setup Standalone solution Has automatic ticket printer	Very cheap (from $299)	Cheap (from $599) True commercial grade Expandable Real-time monitoring Strongest signal range
Disadvantages	No download limit controls Poor support Long waiting times for stock Poor signal range Only allows username/password	Expensive ($1500+) No download limit controls Only allows username/password	Requires custom firmware No automatic ticket printer Poor support Difficult to support No walled garden	No automatic ticket printer