Category: HotSpots

Washington State Ferries has shut down its free wireless Internet service. The decision ensued from the expiry of a grant that used to finance the program. WSF implemented the switch initially in the Bainbridge Island and Kingston routes and plans to do the same for Bremerton in December. Passengers may still get WiFi connection if...

The city of Bellevue in Washington is deploying a WiFi network in the downtown area. Once installed, the network will initially extend over a 1.5-acre area from City Hall and Meydenbauer Center on the east to Bellevue Square and the Downtown Park on the west. Eventually, according to Bellevue Information Technology Manager David Kerr, the...

Foster City in California is offering free wireless Internet connection to its 29,000 residents. The scheme, which the city began implementing in early October, aims to lower costs and improve public services. MetroFi built the network and signed a service level agreement that would allow anyone owning a WiFi-enabled device to use the service. Foster...

A study by ABI Research indicates that the number of WiFi hotspots around the world has risen by 47 percent to 143,700 in 2006. Europe -- home to 57,000 hotspots -- and North America account for 74 percent of the volume but Asia-Pacific is expected to surpass both regions in five years due to its...

This year will see an increase in the number of WiFi hotspots worldwide by 143,700 or about 47 percent, according to a new report by ABI Research. The research firm ascribed the trend to an increasing demand and use of WiFi, particularly in retail establishments and the hotel industry. Nearly three quarters of all hotspots...

Boingo Wireless has partnered with three companies to expand its presence in Asia. The WiFi network aggregator inked roaming agreements with Singapore Telecom, StarHub -- another Singaporean firm -- and Philippine hotspot operator Innove Communications. It also has similar deals in China, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Malaysia and Taiwan. Via [networkworld.com]

FON has offered free WiFi routers in San Francisco and plans to do the same in New York later this year. During the "Freedom" events, the Spanish start-up would distribute its La Fonera, a newly-released device that supports 802.11g technology and allows broadband subscribers to share bandwidth with WiFi users. La Fonera complements FON's software...

WiFi is experiencing rising popularity in Europe as demonstrated by the considerable increase in the deployment of wireless hotspots in the continent. According to a new study by BroadGroup Tariff Services, the number of hotspots in the region grew by 28 percent from May 2005 to September 2006. Majority of these devices are found in...

BT is giving more minutes to people accessing its Openzone WiFi hotspot. The offer, which will last through January 31, 2007, allows users of its £6 one-hour vouchers to have 90 non-consecutive minutes so long as they use them within 24 hours. Those under the 24-hour or 30-day plan have no similar privilege. Via [techworld.com]...

The latest edition of "The Good Hotel Guide" criticized the exorbitant WiFi rates in U.K. hotels. According to the report, some hotels demand £5 per hour of use, though running a WiFi network is relatively low-cost. The annual publication, which offers free listings and does not run advertising, uses reader input as the basis for...

The city of Chicago is calling for proposals to build a WiFi network that could cover at least 90 percent of the city and provide free or low-cost Internet connection. The network should deliver a speed of no less than one 1 Mbps. Aside from fully financing and owning the network, the contract winner will...

WiFi-enabled phones are the hottest products to hit the market, with Nokia launching several gadgets that it labeled as "multimedia computers" with built-in Wi-Fi capabilities. French wireless operator Orange is now offering its ulink service that will allow customers in Paris to make unlimited local calls with the use of a WiFi phone. T-Mobile plans...

For cyber criminals, free wireless public networks provide great tools for stealing sensitive data of laptop owners. Users who are therefore not familiar with procedures to secure their computers could become victims of a "channeling" attack, a practice that allows hackers to obtain online banking passwords and other personal information by creating a fake access...

More and more Canadian small businesses are turning to combined systems of wired and wireless networks to improve office productivity. Hybrid solutions allow for more mobility and enable companies to maximize investment in hardware, peripherals and wired networks. Speed is one major reason why companies opt not to go completely wireless at the moment. "If...

A survey by YouGov revealed that WiFi users hope for more hotspots in more locations. Half of the 253 respondents want WiFi access in trains and a quarter on the tube. Some 86 perecent with laptops, however, do not know how useful having such connection during rush hour. The study also showed that 45 percent...