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Customer Experience |
| Q: |
Do users need
to make any configuration changes on their laptops or PDAs to
connect to a public access WLAN based on Netpartout technology? |
| A: |
Users need to make no changes
to their device to connect to the public access WLAN. A customizable
home page appears on the user’s screen when the user is
within range of the Netpartout Hotspot Controller, enabling
the user to logon, become authenticated, and gain immediate
access. |
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| Q: |
Does the user need to download
additional software to gain access? |
| A: |
No additional software is
required. A user simply needs a standard web browser to gain
access plus an 802.11b/g 'Wi-Fi' network card. |
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| Q: |
What is the user experience? |
| A: |
The user goes through 3
simple steps to gain internet access: |
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a).
The user opens his/her WLAN-enabled laptop at a hot spot location,
launches a web browser, and immediately sees a home screen branded
by the hot spot and wireless ISP serving that location. The
home screen contains information about the wireless service
as well as other information relevant to that hot spot location. |
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b).
). The user then authenticates through any number of ways (as
determined by Netpartout and property owner): |
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- Coupons for
a pre-determined number of free access minutes
- Pre-paid card
- Credit card |
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c).
The user receives a message that he/she has successfully logged
on and can access the internet. |
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| Q: |
What reports
are available to end-users? |
| A: |
Pronto offers
several self-serve reports for users so they can check their
bill, login/connection details, printing charges, bandwidth
usage, etc., all on-line. |
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System Architecture |
| Q: |
What type of
device is the Hotspot Controller? |
| A: |
Hotspot Controller
is a stand-alone, solid state device. Unlike some competitive
solutions, the Hotspot Controller does not contain a hard drive,
and thus is not prone to network failures. |
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| Q: |
What Layer 2
technologies does Hotspot Networking System work with? |
| A: |
Hotspot Networking
System can operate with DSL, cable modem, Ethernet, and all
types of wireless networks. |
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| Q: |
Do I need to
install a wireless card in the Hotspot Controller? |
| A: |
The Hotspot
Controller is sold with a pre-installed 802.11b/g card. |
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| Q: |
What range is
available with the Hotspot Networking System? |
| A: |
The embedded
antenna provides a range of 100 meters. The actual range depends
upon a number of factors including surroundings, type of building,
etc. Service providers can choose to extend the range by selecting
a higer power version and attaching a more powerful antenna
to the network card. |
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| Q: |
Can the Hotspot
Networking System adapt to new WLAN standards? |
| A: |
The Hotspot
Networking System was built on an open architecture, thus enabling
future upgrades to new protocols and security standards. The
system currently supports 802.11b, 802.11a, 802.11g and Bluetooth
as well as IPSec- and 802.1x-based security. |
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Security |
| Q: |
Is VPN support
available in Hotspot Networking System? |
| A: |
Yes, no special
setup is required for VPN support. |
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| Q: |
Does the Hotspot
Networking System support Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol
(PPTP)? |
| A: |
Yes, although
PPTP is less secure than IPSec-based security, which is supported
in the Pronto system. |
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| Q: |
Does the Hotspot
Networking System support the Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP)
algorithm? |
| A: |
Netpartout
does not recommend use of WEP due to weak security provided
by WEP. |
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| Q: |
Does the Hotspot
Networking System support 802.1x? |
| A: |
802.1x support
will be available in our next release. |
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| Q: |
Can the Hotspot
Networking System support an IPSec-encrypted session from the
laptop to the corporate LAN? |
| A: |
Yes, establishing
an IPSec connection from a user’s laptop to a corporate
LAN is possible with the Hotspot Networking System; however,
a corporate administrator would need to set this up for the
user. An IPSec session can also be setup between the laptop/PDA
and the Hotspot Controller, securing the unprotected part of
the network. |
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Other Technical |
| Q: |
Does the Hotspot
Networking System require static IP addresses? |
| A: |
Unlike most
competitive solutions, the Hotspot Networking System can work
with dynamic IP addresses. |
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| Q: |
Can bandwidth
consumption by any user by managed? |
| A: |
The Hotspot
Networking System has Quality of Service (QoS) controls that
enable the service provider to limit bandwidth usage on a per
device basis. This feature prevents users from consuming a disproportionately
large amount of bandwidth. Pronto’s system also has queuing
algorithms that enable service providers to prioritize streams
of VIP customers over free trial or infrequent users, if desired. |
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| Q: |
Does the Hotspot
Networking System have Power over Ethernet (POE)? |
| A: |
The Hotspot
Networking System can receive power either through the Ethernet
connectivity or the power supply. Power over Ethernet (POE)
is particularly useful if the Hotspot Controller is deployed
on a rooftop or at location where power outlets are not nearby.
Offering two power sources also provides power redundancy as
well as the ability to reset the system’s power remotely.
POE is available to all Hotspot Controllers but not remote access
points. |
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| Q: |
Can a second
radio be used for the backhaul? |
| A: |
A service provider
may choose to use a second radio for the backhaul connection
by using the second Ethernet slot on the Hotspot Controller. |
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| Q: |
Can the Hotspot
Networking System be connected to a dial-up line? |
| A: |
While possible,
connecting to a dial-up line is not recommended since it does
not take advantage of the broadband capabilities offered by
802.11b. It is possible to configure the Hotspot Networking
System to allow for dial-up fallback if the broadband connection
fail. However, in this case, ISDN fallback would be preferred
over dial-up fallback. |
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| Q: |
How many users
does the Hotspot Controller access device support? |
| A: |
The number
of potential users handled by a single Hotspot Controller is
practically limitless under normal conditions. During steady
state conditions (i.e., users sending email, surfing the web,
etc.), bandwidth resources are virtually unlimited. Only when
multiple users simultaneously use streaming media or download
large files will possible network congestion occur. However,
this situation is no different than what users may encounter
in an office with a T1 line. |
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| Q: |
Can one connect
two or more Hotspot Controllers? |
| A: |
The Hotspot
Controller connects only to the backhaul hub/switch, not to
other Hotspot Controllers. |
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| Q: |
Can one add other
Access Points (APs) on the LAN side? Does this impact security? |
| A: |
Additional
APs can be connected to the DMZ port. The DMZ port can be configured
to use the security model of the main port. |
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Roaming |
| Q: |
What roaming
arrangements will service providers be able to leverage? |
| A: |
Netpartout
will be able to offer roaming agreements with major aggregators
in the near future. |
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Monitoring / Management
Capabilities |
| Q: |
What type of
monitoring tools does Netpartout offer? |
| A: |
The Hotspot
Networking System offers both service providers and property
owners web-based tools to monitor Hotspot Controllers and end-user
activity. |
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| Q: |
What reporting
capabilities does the Hotspot Networking System provide? |
| A: |
Hotspot Networking
System can export accounting data for off-line report generation.
Samples of reports include revenue share reports, bandwidth
usage reports and ABC analysis reports (i.e., identifying the
20% of users accounting for 80% of the available bandwidth).
The system also provides self-serve reports for the end-user,
service provider, and hot spot owner. |
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Portal Design&
Management |
| Q: |
How can hotspot
operators customize the login page seen by the end-user? |
| A: |
Web-based administration
is available for service providers and property owners for setting
up and modifying the login page. |
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| Q: |
Does the home
page / web portal offer redirection after login? |
| A: |
The service
provider and property owner will have the option of putting
URL links on the screen acknowledging successful user authentication. |
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Technical Support |
| Q: |
What installation
support does Netpartout provide? |
| A: |
Netpartout
has a remote auto provisioning feature that allows for complete
installation and configuration from the Network Operations Center
(NOC). With the Netpartout web-based interface we can add information
related to a venue (contact info, type of connection (DSL/cable/T1),
etc.) and based upon this info we set up a Hotspot Controller
for your location. A location owner or employee at the hot spot
location simply needs to connect their existing DSL/cable/T1
line into the hotspot controller and plug in the power supply.
From there, the hotspot controller is automatically detected
and configured from the back office NOC. |
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| Q: |
Does Netpartout
provide on-site support? |
| A: |
Through our
partner program targeting value-added resellers (VARs) and system
integrators worldwide, we offer a full professional hotspot
service, assisting you with all your network layout and design
needs, especially for complex hotspots such as airports, hotels,
and multi-dwelling units. Please see our website for more information.
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| Q: |
Does Netpartout
provide national on-site support? |
| A: |
Netpartout
has a Partner Program targeting value-added resellers (VARs)
and system integrators nationwide that will provide on-site
support. |
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End-User Pricing |
| Q: |
Does Netpartout
offer token-type payments? |
| A: |
The Hotspot
Networking System has the capability of accepting coupons (i.e.,
free access cards). The wireless ISP and/or property owner is
responsible for printing/distributing these coupons. |
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| Q: |
Is pricing the
same in all locations? |
| A: |
Although Netpartout
employs a flat pricing model, and wants to keep pricing and
service ambiguous for the end-user, certain international locations
charge a premium rate for use of their services. These prices
are site specific, and can be found at the location or by contacting
customer services. |
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| Q: |
How can end-users
pay for access? |
| A: |
End-users can
pay for access via: |
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a).
A credit card:
The ISP servicing the hot spot location (Radius authentication
/ tracking allows automatic and accurate generation of billing
statements)
b). A pre-paid card.
c). Coupons with free access minutes
d). With one of our partners global roaming account
platforms |
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Other |
| Q: |
How can property
owners generate new revenue using Hotspot Networking System? |
| A: |
The Netpartout
hotspot networking service offers several features that allow
location owners to generate incremental revenue. These features
include: |
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- Customized
access coupons for co-promotions,
- Revenue from the sale of pre-paid cards,
- Ad space for nearby establishments,
- On-screen custom messages and transaction incentives,
- Revenue sharing with signing up of new customers. |
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| Q: |
Does the Hotspot
Networking System have the capability to use location- and user-specific
knowledge? |
| A: |
Yes, the Hotspot
Networking System is able to display location- and user-specific
information. |
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