3Com forms wireless strategic alliances for creating easier, more reliable hotspot solutions

3Com SA has formed strategic alliances with leading gateway vendors to create plug-and-play solutions for WiFi-certified wireless hotspots worldwide.

The list of alliance vendors include: Aptilo Networks, IP3 Networks, Nomadix, PatronSoft, Pronto Networks and SolutionInc Limited.

The new 3Com wireless hotspot programme will see new wireless strategic vendors combine their billing and authentication gateways and software with the company`s wireless access points, Power over Ethernet technology and security devices to build new public wireless LANs (local area networks), better known as "hotspots".

Importantly, this prospect of new wireless hotspots, ideally suited for hotels, airport terminals, train stations, cafes and community centres, will also create new opportunities for system integrators within 3Com`s channel partner programme.

Through these new wireless alliances, 3Com will be able to provide a wider range of hotspot solutions. Whether a customer is seeking simple authentication for a wireless hotspot or enhanced roaming capabilities between different technologies, such as WiFi and GPRS networks, 3Com and the new strategic alliance vendors can provide tested and proven solutions.

Already, all the strategic alliance vendors` wireless products have passed interoperability testing with 3Com`s wireless products.

"Two of the most important things that hotels, airports, cafes, train stations and shared community venues should consider before choosing and installing a wireless hotspot are interoperability and reliability of all the parts of the solutions," says Aaron Vance, senior analyst, Synergy Research Group.

"Once interoperability and reliability have been verified across partners, the system integration required usually goes much smoother. Wireless hotspots don`t need to be overcomplicated and, because of the emergence of new efficient integration, businesses can get new revenue streams and enhance customer experiences, whether with a cup of coffee, waiting for a flight, or checking an online reservation at a hotspot."

Comments Wolfgang Held, systems architect at 3Com SA: "We recently added features and functionality in our enterprise access points to streamline wireless access for hotspot deployments. For example, the 3Com Wireless Access Point 7250 has a lockable feature to prevent theft, supports Power over Ethernet and allows connectivity for various detachable antennas for flexible coverage and drop ceilings."

3Com has also added specific hotspot features, such as support for multiple VLANs (up to 32 per radio), multiple SSIDs (up to 32 per radio module), and SSID to VLAN mapping in the company`s latest firmware release. These features allow companies to support multiple virtual WLANs on a single access point - ideal for hotspot deployments.

Last year 3Com`s wireless access points were used at Wimbledon, the famous tennis tournament, and at the Edinburgh Festival in the UK to provide connectivity. Today, many hotels and other venues worldwide rely on 3Com`s wireless technologies.

Aptilo Networks

Aptilo Networks develops system solutions for management, control and billing of PWLAN (public wireless LAN) and provides hotspot managed services to services providers such as operators and telcos.

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Aptilo solutions enable

wireless Internet access at public venues, such as hotels, coffee shops, airports and conference centres. Their public WLAN solutions have been selected by well-known service providers around the world. More than four years of technology development has been invested in the creation of the Aptilo PWLAN Solution which is a feature-rich, flexible PWLAN solution that is carrier class and extremely scalable. The solution can be used for a variety of business models and supports a number of payment and authentication methods. Fortifying a leading position in the marketplace, Aptilo recently acquired Birdstep Technology`s IP Zone software solution set, which had achieved 3Com certification prior to becoming a part of Aptilo. With installations in more than 30 countries on five continents, Aptilo is a leading player in its field.

IP3 Networks

IP3 Networks develops subscriber management software that service providers use to deliver broadband Internet access in public places such as airports, convention centres, hotels and wireless hotspots. IP3 provides a cost-effective, auto-provisioning and billing gateway at the edge that streamlines all deployment and operational needs. IP3 gateways enable auto-provisioning for plug-and-play access and acts as a traffic cop to control access, quality of service and billing. IP3 is unique in the way network administrators can setup multiple group policies for bandwidth control, billing and location-based content delivery. Designed by network engineers for network engineers, IP3 is one of the most robust platforms with the richest feature set available.

Nomadix

Nomadix is a leading provider of public-access gateways and embedded software solutions for creating intelligent networks that deliver transparent, secure, high-speed Internet access to the mobile user - virtually anywhere throughout the world. The company is headquartered in Westlake Village, California, with sales offices in Europe, China, Japan, Singapore and South Korea. Nomadix sells and supports its products globally through OEM partnerships, value-added resellers (VARs) and systems integrators.

PatronSoft

Patronsoft is a fast-growing WiFi hotspot management software company. FirstSpot, its flagship product, is the only Windows-based wireless gateway software deployed in more than 30 countries. Using a per-server-based licensing model, FirstSpot offers hotspot owners and operators a start-small-grow-fast solution.

Pronto Networks

Pronto Networks provides carrier-class operations support systems (OSS) that enable operators to cost-effectively deploy, provision and manage large-scale, public WLAN networks and deliver new services. The company`s software provides the back-office functionality for hundreds of hotspots and hotzones worldwide. Pronto`s solution enables operators to gain a quick time-to-market advantage, minimise deployment and ongoing operating expenses and create new value-added services. Pronto`s OSS handles service provisioning, auto-configuration, authentication, access control, security, prepaid and postpaid billing, location-based services, and roaming settlement for public WiFi networks.

SolutionInc

SolutionInc is a leading provider of Internet software that allows travellers easy-to-use, reliable high-speed Internet access. Award-winning SolutionIPT software simplifies high-speed Internet for the hospitality, travel and leisure, convention, education and resource industries. SolutionIPT Enterprise makes it possible for multiple-building complexes to centrally manage the provisioning, maintenance, registration and billing of wired and WiFi high-speed Internet services. Solution IPT Enterprise Cable provides cable operators the ability to offer high-speed Internet to commercial markets, using existing cable infrastructure on a pay-per-use basis.