Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Authorship by Chapter
- Foreword
- Preface
- Part I Introduction to 802.11
- Part II 802.11 Quality of Service
- Part III 802.11 Security
- Part IV High Throughput 802.11
- Part V 802.11 Mesh Networks
- Part VI 802.11/Cellular Interworking
- Part VII Coexistence
- Part VIII 802.11 Network and Radio Resource Management
- Part IX 802.11 Range
- Part X 802.11 Hardware Design
- Part XI Wi-Fi Hotspots
- Chapter 27 Service Control and Service Management of Wi-Fi Hotspots
- Chapter 28 Hot Spots: Public Access using 802.11
- Chapter 29 Strategies for Maximizing Access to Public Commercial Hot Spots
- Part XII Wi-Fi Applications
- Part XIII Ultra WideBand (UWB)
- Part XIV Public Wireless Broadband
- Epilogue
- Index
Chapter 28 - Hot Spots: Public Access using 802.11
from Part XI - Wi-Fi Hotspots
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 10 December 2009
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Authorship by Chapter
- Foreword
- Preface
- Part I Introduction to 802.11
- Part II 802.11 Quality of Service
- Part III 802.11 Security
- Part IV High Throughput 802.11
- Part V 802.11 Mesh Networks
- Part VI 802.11/Cellular Interworking
- Part VII Coexistence
- Part VIII 802.11 Network and Radio Resource Management
- Part IX 802.11 Range
- Part X 802.11 Hardware Design
- Part XI Wi-Fi Hotspots
- Chapter 27 Service Control and Service Management of Wi-Fi Hotspots
- Chapter 28 Hot Spots: Public Access using 802.11
- Chapter 29 Strategies for Maximizing Access to Public Commercial Hot Spots
- Part XII Wi-Fi Applications
- Part XIII Ultra WideBand (UWB)
- Part XIV Public Wireless Broadband
- Epilogue
- Index
Summary
Introduction
A Wi-Fi “Hot Spot” is the common term used to describe locations that provide public Internet access using IEEE 802.11a,b or g wireless Ethernet, otherwise known as “Wi-Fi” (Wireless Fidelity). Wi-Fi uses a wireless Ethernet protocol that comes in various flavors including the most popular 802.11b/g, both of which operate in the 2.4 GHz frequency band of unlicensed spectrum. 802.11b can transmit/receive up to 11 megabits/second and 802.11g can transmit/receive up to 54 megabits/second. The new proposed 802.11n standard uses multi-path capabilities to transmit/receive at up to 155 megabits/second. 802.11a is a close cousin to 802.11g, with transmit/receive speeds of up to 54 megabits/second, but 802.11a runs in the 5 GHz unlicensed band. Most hotspots provide 802.11b and 802.11b/g (dual-mode capable) access – that is, the access points have radios that are able to function with either 802.11b or 802.11g connections. Some access points have tri-mode radios that run in 802.11a/b/g modes.
Wi-Fi has become extremely popular. Whereas 8 years ago, 802.11b was on the fringe edge of techno-geek toys with only a few thousands of devices sold, now more than 90% of the mobile computers shipped by Dell, HP and IBM (Lenovo) come with 802.11b/g built in (many also with 802.11a forming tri-mode radios). Hence, there are hundreds of millions of laptop computers with Wi-Fi built in. Those that do not have it built in can add it on with a PCMCIA card or USB drive device for less than $30.00.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Emerging Technologies in Wireless LANsTheory, Design, and Deployment, pp. 609 - 624Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2007