The bare necessities

The popularity of smartphones, and more recently the iPad, continues to put pressure on 3G networks, as Wi-Fi Hotspots become a viable alternative. If you have used a Wi-Fi Hotspot in an airport, hotel or café, then you’ve potentially enjoyed how fast the internet can be in the ‘third place’ – which is not your work or your home. Access may have been free, or come at a reasonable fee, but either way, it was a very different experience to 3G access from a mobile phone network and much cheaper than 3G mobile data international roaming. The default for savvy travellers is now Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi network growth is generally down to three things: the size and quality of the network; the ease of use; and the price to the customer for using the network. The latter is being proven – when low cost or free services are available then usage goes up incredibly. For travellers, a Wi-Fi Hotspot is a minimum requirement for connecting to the internet as users tend to bring their own gadgets along to connect. In New Zealand, companies are finding it relatively profitable to deploy Wi-Fi Hotspot networks due to low cost Wi-Fi Access Points connected to a network service provider that itself does all the billing, authentication and limiting. Some venues elect to put their own systems in and silo themselves as a Wi- Fi location. Either way, it’s contributing to massive growth in quality Wi-Fi Hotspots. Wi-Fi service providers such as Tomizone, CafeNet, Zenbu or Surfspot have networks in place all over the country to cater for this growth. Wi-Fi Hotspot access is more viable than ever as coverage and accessibility grows. Popular venues embrace Hotspots as a people magnet to boost return visits. Citywide networks in contrast require massive capital outlay and a bold vision with a long-term business case. In recent times, the announcement by Kordia to “shelve” the network simply means that the capital is not there to expand and perhaps the business case parameters were too ambitious. There is excitement on the horizon with events such as the Rugby World Cup next year. It’s an opportunity to revisit and provide facilities for our foreign guests who have high-speed internet expectations. Wi-Fi Hotspot usage has been enhanced with recent initiatives such as Skype access. Internationally, standards for roaming on Wi- Fi networks are becoming the norm as the bill shock of Mobile Data Roaming hits every corner of the globe. Wi-Fi is a mature and growing technology and it is strongly represented in the future as manufacturers will always adopt a default radio technology in their gadgets. The sceptre of WiMAX and 4G may be more evident in recent times but cost of deployment and chip sets still does not match the really low cost of good old viable Wi-Fi.