Next Generation Hotspot (NGH) and Hotspot 2.0 could present new business opportunities for the monetization of Wi-Fi, says a new report.
According to techsling.com, IT administrators are beginning to pay attention to the potential benefits that seamless Wi-Fi roaming technologies could bring.
“Wireless hotspots within businesses have been islands of connectivity up until now,” says Gina Narcisi of techtarget.com.
“Mobile carriers lose control over their subscribers once users jump onto a Wi-Fi hotspot,” she explains adding that the Hotspot 2.0 and NGH technologies will allow mobile service providers to offer data services, even if they do not have infrastructure in place.
David Callisch, vice president of corporate marketing for Ruckus Wireless, explained: “Since operators want the Wi-Fi network access, the real opportunity will emerge for any enterprise to wholesale their existing wireless LAN capacity to operators [and charge] them recurring fees for that access.”
The new business opportunity is not without its challenges. Carriers would have to trust their customers’ satisfaction to a network outside of their control.
Craig Mathias, principal at the Farpoint Group advisory firm pointed out that the technology did not ensure a business opportunity for the wholesale market. Instead key players would have to work towards arrangements.
“[NGH and HS 2.0 are the] enabling technologies that make wholesaling additional capacity a possibility,” but added: “The standard isn’t sufficient in and of itself to make that arrangement work.”
