Seamless Wi-Fi access in public locations has heightened fixed and mobile operators’ interest in Next Generation Hotspot (NGH) Wi-Fi – i.e., in deploying their own Wi-Fi networks or relying on their partners’ networks to provide access to their subscribers. NGH Wi-Fi deployments have become an integral component of the operators’ strategy to increase capacity in a cost-effective way, and to improve subscriber experience using the Wi-Fi wireless interface that is ubiquitous in mobile devices. Operators are drawn to NGH Wi-Fi’s SIM-based authentication, automatic network detection and selection, and secure access. The appeal of Wi-Fi will grow even stronger with the upcoming addition of online signup and policy control.
