Cable MSOs have a new option for deploying managed indoor and outdoor Wi-Fi hot zones thanks to the Rapid Launch Hot Zone System, an integration of technology and components from three companies: ARRIS Solutions, BelAir Networks, and SolutionInc Ltd.. It includes extensive back-office options.
The system, announced at NCTA, is for MSOs wanting to give mobile access to broadband for their subscribers—a strategy successfully employed by Cablevision Systems. It also allows MSOs to grow commercial market share by offering managed indoor and outdoor hot zone services to businesses.
The base configuration can accommodate up to 2,500 simultaneous users, 16 SSIDs and eight virtual access points with individual service level configurability. It’s anchored by a CableLabs DOCSIS 2.0-qualified ARRIS C3 CMTS. It also includes an enterprise hot spot management system from SolutionInc, which provides centrally managed hot spot connectivity, authentication, billing and messaging capabilities. BelAir Networks is providing Wi-Fi access points.
Rapid Launch also integrates with third party billing systems, and can accommodate multiple pay-per-use options including credit cards, email accounts, and access codes.
"Wi-Fi continues to grow worldwide, from coffee houses to college campuses and RV parks," said Tom Williams, vice president of marketing and business development for ARRIS, in a statement. "Our hot zone system enables technology from three great companies to help our customers rapidly increase revenue and decrease churn. We call it `Wi-Fi Made Simple' because once venues are determined, our customers can literally be operational in a few hours."
The system enables location-specific services which can consist of one venue or a group of venues under one account. Venues can be managed individually for billing, authentication, bandwidth, messaging and marketing. Tiered bandwidth service offerings give MSOs the ability to charge premium rates for faster connections, and enhanced marketing features enable providers or their business customers to push specific marketing and advertising content on customized "welcome" and "registration" pages based on their locations.
The global hot-spot market continues to provide opportunities for MSOs. Shipments of Wi-Fi-enabled cellular handsets will double in volume by the end of 2010, says ABI Research, compared to January 2008, and that growth curve is expected to continue through 2013. In-Stat Research has estimated that Portable Media Players shipped with Wi-Fi will grow to well over 100 million units in 2011 and cellular/Wi-Fi handsets will pass 300 million units by 2012.
