[NBLUG/talk] [Fwd: Hotspots and hosting]

augie schwer at sonic.net
Wed Apr 9 22:09:01 PDT 2003


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i thought i'd pass this along to those of you that aren't sonic
customers. it sounds pretty awesome. i wonder if this means the demise
of nocat...? --augie

- -------- Original Message --------
Subject: Hotspots and hosting
Date: Thu, 10 Apr 2003 01:39:40 GMT
From: dane <dane at sonic.net>
Newsgroups: sonic.dsl,sonic.general

Sonic.net is expanding it's deployment of wireless Hotspots in the North
Bay.  Wireless 802.11b or "WiFi" Hotspots provide local high speed
broadband access to individuals with WiFi enabled laptops and hand-held
devices.

Sonic.net is currently seeking "Hotspot Hosts" in our base of current
customers.  These are Sonic.net DSL customers who are in a location that
is suitable for providing WiFi access - maybe you!  Here's how it works:

For suitable Hotspot locations, Sonic.net will provide the wireless
equipment, and will provide a no-cost upgrade from the current level of
DSL service to the next speed, up to as high as Basic Plus.

This win/win relationship allows the end-user to utilize a higher speed
DSL service without the extra costs, and lets Sonic.net leverage the
existing DSL circuit to provide access to others in the area using WiFi.
 For example, a customer with Primary DSL at 384kbps would be upgraded
to Basic DSL with downstream speeds as high as 1.5Mbps (four times as
fast).  A customer with Basic DSL would be upgraded to Basic Plus DSL,
doubling the outbound speed to from 128kbps up to 256kbps.

Customers who are already subscribing to Basic Plus, or who are at the
highest speed which can be technically delivered at their location will
provided with a cost reduction to the next lower speed's price point.

Suitable Hotspot locations would be customers at or adjacent to the
following types of locations:

Coffee shops, cafes and restraunts.
Public downtown locations.
Business parks and multi-tenant buildings.
Bus stops and transfer depots.
Gas stations and truck stops.
RV and Camp-sites.

If you would like to be a WiFi Hotspot host, please email me at
dane at sonic.net and tell me a bit about your location.

The WiFi router is generally installed on a bookshelf, in a window,
mounted on the wall, or in the ceiling.  The wireless equipment we're
currently deploying is generally a Linksys WiFi router.  See the
following URL for a photo and product information:

http://www.linksys.com/Products/product.asp?grid=33&scid=35&prid=415

Currently, Sonic.net's hotspots provide free open access.  However, as
the deployment size and it's costs grow, and in order to prevent abuse
by assuring that we have information about who the users are, it's
likely that at some point the use of Sonic.net hotspots will require
that users have a basic Sonic.net account for authentication.  Day use
for a small fee may also be offered.

We welcome feedback about this effort, and in particular are looking for
customers who can help drive this forward.  If you want WiFi somewhere,
please do help us find a spot to host it - if there are areas that we
have coverage, please do use it and tell others about it - etc.  Let us
know if you have any ideas or suggestions!

- --
Dane Jasper				Sonic.net, Inc.
(707)522-1000
mailto:dane at sonic.net			http://www.sonic.net/

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