WiFi has become one of the most popular amenities requested by rental guests – ahead of a dishwasher or cable TV. Plain and simple: if you do not offer free WiFi, you are losing business.
Think about it...do you work when you travel? Most people reading this will answer "yes" or "I try not to, but unfortunately I do". What do you need in order to work? An Internet connection. (And a descent one at that). But it's not just for work – kids love Netflix, grandparents love to Skype, and that cat video of Fido just needs to be posted to YouTube this very second.
Did you know that rental property owners are legally responsible for everything their renters do online? If your renter engages in any illegal activities online, it is the owner who pays the price. IES has the perfect solution to your liability issue while still offering renters a seamless WiFi experience...
Our system features:
•Plug & play out of the box – 5 minute automatic activation
•Custom branded sign in page with your logo, contact information, and legal disclosure (exempting you from wrongdoing); option to add form to collect data such as email addresses, phone numbers, and birthdays for marketing purposes
•Online dashboard to get statistics such as use history, block users, generate passwords, set time limits, set speed limits, and more
•Option to charge for WiFi, or upgraded WiFi option, if desired
•Visit iesAdvisors.com/wifi for a full list of features.
Ready to learn more or make a purchase? Call 781-816-9437 or click here to email us.
Showing posts with label wifi. Show all posts
Showing posts with label wifi. Show all posts
Thursday, December 28, 2017
Monday, October 16, 2017
Security Notice: Key Reinstallation Attack
Background
On October 16, a WPA2 exploit was disclosed known as Key Reinstallation Attack (KRACK) that affects all WPA2 protected WiFi networks. This exploit could lead to user's WiFi traffic becoming compromised.Impact
- This exploit affects any wireless product using WPA2 encryption, which includes all IES access point products.
- Those using 802.11r or mesh repeaters are most susceptible.
- Client devices that have not received a security update specifically addressing this issue are also susceptible.
- The exploit requires physical proximity to the network.
Fix
- A new firmware version is currently under test, and we expect to qualify and publish the new version of 6.3 by end of day Tuesday, October 17. An update to 6.4 will be available at that time or shortly after.
- Once new firmware is available, all networks will begin upgrading during their scheduled maintenance window automatically
- We will also be patching older versions of our WiFi software, including 481, 590, 6.1 & 6.2, with availability end of this week.
Mitigation
- In the meantime, we have turned off 802.11r on all IES WiFi devices until they have received the firmware update
- End users should contact their WiFi client device manufacturers for security updates related to their specific client devices.
Questions / Feedback
If you have any questions or concerns about this vulnerability or the upgrade process, please reach out to IES support.Wednesday, August 2, 2017
The FBI has issued a security warning about IoT toys.
IoT toys have the potential to violate children’s privacy and safety,
given the amount of pertinent information the toys can collect and
store, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) warned this week in an advisory.
The sensors, microphones, data storage capabilities, cameras and other features of Internet of Things (IoT) toys are able to vacuum up extensive details about a child’s name, school, activities and even their physical location.
And if those toys are hacked, criminals could use the stolen information to harm a child, the FBI warned.
What Makes IoT Toys Vulnerable?
Data collected from interactions or conversations between children and toys are typically sent and stored by the manufacturer or developer via a server or a cloud service. In some cases, data are also collected by third party companies that manage the voice recognition software used in the toys.
Voice recordings, toy Web application passwords, home addresses, WiFi information, and sensitive personal data could be exposed if the security of the data is not sufficiently protected with the proper use of digital certificates and encryption when it is being transmitted or stored.
Smart toys connect to the Internet either directly, through WiFi to an Internet connected wireless access point; or indirectly, via Bluetooth to an Android or iOS device that is connected to the Internet.
Key factors affecting the user’s security include: the cyber security features, the toy’s partner applications and the WiFi network through which the toy connects.
Superior communications connections - where data is encrypted between the toy, WiFi access points, and Internet servers that store data or interact with the toy - are crucial to mitigate the risk of hackers exploiting the toy or eavesdropping on conversations or audio messages.
The FBI notes that Bluetooth connected toys that do not have authentication requirements (such as PINs or passwords) pose risks for unauthorized access, enabling criminals to communicate with children.
What You Can Do To Protect Your Child
The sensors, microphones, data storage capabilities, cameras and other features of Internet of Things (IoT) toys are able to vacuum up extensive details about a child’s name, school, activities and even their physical location.
And if those toys are hacked, criminals could use the stolen information to harm a child, the FBI warned.
What Makes IoT Toys Vulnerable?
Data collected from interactions or conversations between children and toys are typically sent and stored by the manufacturer or developer via a server or a cloud service. In some cases, data are also collected by third party companies that manage the voice recognition software used in the toys.
Voice recordings, toy Web application passwords, home addresses, WiFi information, and sensitive personal data could be exposed if the security of the data is not sufficiently protected with the proper use of digital certificates and encryption when it is being transmitted or stored.
Smart toys connect to the Internet either directly, through WiFi to an Internet connected wireless access point; or indirectly, via Bluetooth to an Android or iOS device that is connected to the Internet.
Key factors affecting the user’s security include: the cyber security features, the toy’s partner applications and the WiFi network through which the toy connects.
Superior communications connections - where data is encrypted between the toy, WiFi access points, and Internet servers that store data or interact with the toy - are crucial to mitigate the risk of hackers exploiting the toy or eavesdropping on conversations or audio messages.
The FBI notes that Bluetooth connected toys that do not have authentication requirements (such as PINs or passwords) pose risks for unauthorized access, enabling criminals to communicate with children.
What You Can Do To Protect Your Child
- Choose IoT toys very carefully by doing lots of research. Look for any known reported security issues regarding a toy.
- Find out if a toy can receive firmware or software updates and security patches - and ensure the toy is running on the latest version.
- Closely monitor your child’s activities with each toy through the toy’s parent application, if such a capability exists.
- Ensure the toy is turned off when it is not in use.
- Create a strong and unique login password when establishing a user account. For extra strong passwords, use lower and upper case letters, numbers and special characters.
- Provide only what is minimally required for creating a user account.
Wednesday, January 25, 2017
Don't fall victim to the 'Free Wi-Fi' scam...Those wireless connections could be a trap.
The next time you're at an airport looking for a wireless hot spot, and you see one called "Free Wi-Fi" or a similar name, beware - you may end up being victimized by the latest hot-spot scam hitting airports across the country.
You could end up being the target of a "man in the middle" attack, in which a hacker is able to steal the information you send over the Internet, including usernames and passwords. And you could also have your files and identity stolen, end up with a spyware-infested PC and have your PC turned into a spam-spewing zombie. The attack could even leave your laptop open to hackers every time you turn it on, by allowing anyone to connect to it without your knowledge.
First, let's take a look at how the attack works. You go to an airport or other hot spot and fire up your PC, hoping to find a free hot spot. You see one that calls itself "Free Wi-Fi" or a similar name. You connect. That's it - you've been compromised!
The problem is that it's not really a hot spot. Instead, it's an ad hoc, peer-to-peer network, possibly set up as a trap by someone with a laptop nearby. You can use the Internet, because the attacker has set up his PC to let you browse the Internet via his connection. But because you're using his connection, all your traffic goes through his PC, so he can see everything you do online, including all the usernames and passwords you enter for financial and other Web sites.
In addition, because you've directly connected to the attack PC on a peer-to-peer basis, if you've set up your PC to allow file sharing, the attacker can have complete run of your PC, stealing files and data and planting malware on it.
You can't actually see any of this happening, so you'd be none the wiser. The hacker steals what he wants to or plants malware, then leaves, and you have no way of tracking him down.
All that is bad enough, but it might not be the end of the attack. Depending on how you've connected to that ad hoc network, the next time you turn on your PC, it may automatically broadcast the new "Free Wi-Fi" network ID to the world, and anyone nearby can connect to it in ad hoc peer-to-peer mode without your knowledge - and can do damage if you've allowed file sharing.
While some of these ad hoc networks advertising themselves as available for connection may be attributable to Windows behavior that the PC's user is unaware of, wireless ad hoc attacks may be more common that you think. Security company Authentium, Inc. has found dozens of ad hoc networks in Atlanta's airport, New York's LaGuardia, the West Palm Beach, FL, airport and Chicago's O'Hare. Internet users have reported finding them at LAX airport in Los Angeles.
Authentium did an in-depth survey of the ad hoc networks found at O'Hare, visiting on three different occasions. It found more than 20 ad hoc networks each time, with 80% of them advertising free Wi-Fi access. The company also found that many of the networks were displaying fake or misleading MAC addresses, a clear sign that they were bent on mischief.
"You connect to one of these networks at your own peril," says Corey O'Donnell, vice president of marketing at Authentium. "And you would have no way of tracking down how you were attacked, because you would have thought you were at an ordinary hot spot connection. Enterprises are also at risk, because if someone uses a corporate laptop to connect to one of these networks and gets infected, when he plugs back in to the enterprise network, the whole network is put at risk."
You could end up being the target of a "man in the middle" attack, in which a hacker is able to steal the information you send over the Internet, including usernames and passwords. And you could also have your files and identity stolen, end up with a spyware-infested PC and have your PC turned into a spam-spewing zombie. The attack could even leave your laptop open to hackers every time you turn it on, by allowing anyone to connect to it without your knowledge.
First, let's take a look at how the attack works. You go to an airport or other hot spot and fire up your PC, hoping to find a free hot spot. You see one that calls itself "Free Wi-Fi" or a similar name. You connect. That's it - you've been compromised!
The problem is that it's not really a hot spot. Instead, it's an ad hoc, peer-to-peer network, possibly set up as a trap by someone with a laptop nearby. You can use the Internet, because the attacker has set up his PC to let you browse the Internet via his connection. But because you're using his connection, all your traffic goes through his PC, so he can see everything you do online, including all the usernames and passwords you enter for financial and other Web sites.
In addition, because you've directly connected to the attack PC on a peer-to-peer basis, if you've set up your PC to allow file sharing, the attacker can have complete run of your PC, stealing files and data and planting malware on it.
You can't actually see any of this happening, so you'd be none the wiser. The hacker steals what he wants to or plants malware, then leaves, and you have no way of tracking him down.
All that is bad enough, but it might not be the end of the attack. Depending on how you've connected to that ad hoc network, the next time you turn on your PC, it may automatically broadcast the new "Free Wi-Fi" network ID to the world, and anyone nearby can connect to it in ad hoc peer-to-peer mode without your knowledge - and can do damage if you've allowed file sharing.
While some of these ad hoc networks advertising themselves as available for connection may be attributable to Windows behavior that the PC's user is unaware of, wireless ad hoc attacks may be more common that you think. Security company Authentium, Inc. has found dozens of ad hoc networks in Atlanta's airport, New York's LaGuardia, the West Palm Beach, FL, airport and Chicago's O'Hare. Internet users have reported finding them at LAX airport in Los Angeles.
Authentium did an in-depth survey of the ad hoc networks found at O'Hare, visiting on three different occasions. It found more than 20 ad hoc networks each time, with 80% of them advertising free Wi-Fi access. The company also found that many of the networks were displaying fake or misleading MAC addresses, a clear sign that they were bent on mischief.
"You connect to one of these networks at your own peril," says Corey O'Donnell, vice president of marketing at Authentium. "And you would have no way of tracking down how you were attacked, because you would have thought you were at an ordinary hot spot connection. Enterprises are also at risk, because if someone uses a corporate laptop to connect to one of these networks and gets infected, when he plugs back in to the enterprise network, the whole network is put at risk."
Thursday, September 8, 2016
Case study: free wifi for apartment building tenants.
The Fenmore is a 205 unit apartment
complex located just steps from the home of the Boston Red Sox: Fenway Park.
Built around 1912, The Fenmore originally boasted such amenities as an office
staff who would receive packages or call one a carriage for a trip to the shops
in Copley Square, maids who would change the linen, and a housekeeping service
which would tidy up by using the latest in centralized vacuum systems.
But a century later, the residents
were looking for a much more modern amenity: wireless Internet.
When initially exploring the idea of
installing a system, they were presented with a number of challenges. The
biggest issue was the construction itself. Typical for the time period, the
seven buildings that make up the Fenmore were built with brick and mortar,
horsehair plaster and wire lathe, making the required cabling extremely
difficult.
That’s where IES came in....using newly developed technology, IES was able to create a building wide network for all the residents to use. It’s easy to manage, easy to deploy, and it’s incredibly cost effective.
The board of directors understood the value immediately.
Over a period of two weeks, 83 strategically placed access
points were installed with 6,000 feet of cat5 wiring running through seven 24 port switches. After the initial
installation, the system was then setup in the cloud for management and
troubleshooting purposes. Additionally, the cloud made it easy set bandwidth
limits, monitor traffic, control access with a community wide password, create a custom splash
page, and much more.
The project was a huge success from day one. Everyone at the Fenmore has since cancelled their own Internet
service and are now enjoying free wireless throughout the property. Best of
all, the residents as a whole are saving over $6,000 a month by not having an
Internet bill.
When issues do arise, IES is able to
provide Fenmore residents with remote support and network maintenance. The
network is easy to maintain and when downed nodes do need to be replaced, it’s
fast and the cost is very low.
If you are interested in creating a powerful, custom branded network, give IES a call at 781-816-9437 or email estimates@iesadvisors.com. This technology is not only perfect for apartment buildings or condo associations, but why not add your brand to your vacation home, business, store front, restaurant, or hotel? The marketing abilities using this technologies are endless.
If you are interested in creating a powerful, custom branded network, give IES a call at 781-816-9437 or email estimates@iesadvisors.com. This technology is not only perfect for apartment buildings or condo associations, but why not add your brand to your vacation home, business, store front, restaurant, or hotel? The marketing abilities using this technologies are endless.
Monday, December 14, 2015
Wifi running slow? Your Christmas lights may be at fault!
Britain's communications regulator Ofcom has published a report showing that about 20% of poor wifi performance is caused by electronic gadgets and lights in the home.
While problems with network congestion and infrastructure carry most of the blame for slow broadband, devices such as baby monitors and home phones can interfere with your wifi because they compete for frequencies, an Ofcom spokesperson said.
Still, the good news is that a few simple changes to the location of the router and other devices can lead to a noticeable improvement in performance.
Here are some tips to maximize your wifi speed:
1). Restart your router: It can do a world of good to restart your router when you're having connectivity troubles. This allows it to search for a new channel that isn't being used by other devices.
2). Move your router away from electronic devices: "Halogen lamps, electrical dimmer switches, stereo or computer speakers [and Christmas] lights ... have all been known to cause interference to broadband routers. Keep your router as far away as possible from other electrical devices as well as those which emit wireless signals such as baby monitors."
3). Move your router to a central part of your home: Walls and furniture can act as obstacles to your wifi signal. Power cables running through the walls and floor can also create interference. Your best bet is to put your router on a table in the center of your home, and keep it away from other devices.
Source: CNN Money
While problems with network congestion and infrastructure carry most of the blame for slow broadband, devices such as baby monitors and home phones can interfere with your wifi because they compete for frequencies, an Ofcom spokesperson said.
Still, the good news is that a few simple changes to the location of the router and other devices can lead to a noticeable improvement in performance.
Here are some tips to maximize your wifi speed:
1). Restart your router: It can do a world of good to restart your router when you're having connectivity troubles. This allows it to search for a new channel that isn't being used by other devices.
2). Move your router away from electronic devices: "Halogen lamps, electrical dimmer switches, stereo or computer speakers [and Christmas] lights ... have all been known to cause interference to broadband routers. Keep your router as far away as possible from other electrical devices as well as those which emit wireless signals such as baby monitors."
3). Move your router to a central part of your home: Walls and furniture can act as obstacles to your wifi signal. Power cables running through the walls and floor can also create interference. Your best bet is to put your router on a table in the center of your home, and keep it away from other devices.
Source: CNN Money
Thursday, March 5, 2015
Shortly after Google announces, Comcast admits "assessing the possibilities" of entry into mobile carrier market.
Comcast CEO Brian Roberts recently hinted that the company
is looking to launch a mobile phone carrier, to compete with the likes
of Verizon, AT&T, and Sprint. The service would make use of
Comcast’s numerous national Wi-Fi hotspots to connect phones and tablets
to the Internet.
As reported by FierceCable,
the Comcast boss said during an earnings call Tuesday that the
company is ”still assessing the possibilities” of becoming a
carrier. Under the plan, Comcast would employ its 8.3 million Wi-Fi
hotspots nationwide as a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), but
Roberts emphasized that the time is not right to “chew open what
[Comcast’s] Wi-Fi plans are.”
As pointed out by FieceCable’s sister site, FierceWireless,
most of today’s MVNO services, like Republic Wireless and FreedomPop,
work with a major cell carrier to augment their coverage when Wi-Fi
isn’t available. The majority of your calls and website visits occur
over Wi-Fi (at home or at work, for example); when there’s no Wi-Fi
available, you are then passed off to a cellular network. It’s unclear
whether Comcast would go this route or follow its competitor
Cablevision, which recently launched Freewheel, a strictly Wi-Fi-only mobile phone service available at $9.99 a month for current cable subscribers.
"We do believe in the asset, and we’re looking for ways to bring it to market over the next several months," Roberts went on.
If that’s not enough evidence to convince (or scare) you, on Wednesday Engadget
came across what seems to be a related Comcast job post. According to
the listing, the company is looking to hire an executive under the
context that it’s “evaluating potential entries into the wireless
ecosystem” that would “utilize” Comcast’s millions of Wi-Fi hotspots.
Monday, December 8, 2014
Here's the top 10 reasons why you may have a poor wifi signal, and how to fix them.
1). Don't put your router on the floor. Get your router off the ground at least 5-7 feet if possible. It’s kind of like a light bulb; when you turn it on you want it to shine as far as possible, not straight into the ground.
2). A lot of folks default to an upstairs office, but that’s usually located in a remote corner of the house. Even worse: the basement; that area makes it hard for the wireless signal to reach all areas of your home. Put your router in the center of the home, preferably on the first floor.
3). Don’t put your router in the corners of the house near windows. You might as well throw half your signal out the window if you do that.
4). Avoid locations next to or behind your TV because media components can seriously affect your wireless performance. Also, stay away from enclosed consoles with heat producing appliances like a DVD player or game console. Those will also cut down your wireless signal.
5). Speaking of devices, steer clear of basic home appliances like cordless phones and microwaves that also can affect performance.
6). Don’t hide your router. Set it up out in the open, not tucked in a cabinet.
7). Got a fish tank? Wireless signals don’t pass well through water so keep it away from Nemo and Dory....They won’t be using it anyway.
8). We call this the Captain Obvious approach...Figure out where in your house you use wireless most often and put the router within a clean line of site to that room. A central location, off the ground and out in the open, is the ideal location. Most signals bounce off walls.
9). Limit applications that hog your speed. If your kids are always playing games online or doing video chats, this can make your wireless experience slower for everyone else.
10). Regularly reboot your router. There are a lot of software updates made to your equipment that require a restart just like any other consumer device. You can automatically reboot it by using an old outlet timer.
Bonus tip: Regardless if you rent or own your wireless router, make sure you have the latest equipment and are running the latest system software. Older wireless routers running older software may not be able to handle the speeds that you receive with your Internet service.
2). A lot of folks default to an upstairs office, but that’s usually located in a remote corner of the house. Even worse: the basement; that area makes it hard for the wireless signal to reach all areas of your home. Put your router in the center of the home, preferably on the first floor.
3). Don’t put your router in the corners of the house near windows. You might as well throw half your signal out the window if you do that.
4). Avoid locations next to or behind your TV because media components can seriously affect your wireless performance. Also, stay away from enclosed consoles with heat producing appliances like a DVD player or game console. Those will also cut down your wireless signal.
5). Speaking of devices, steer clear of basic home appliances like cordless phones and microwaves that also can affect performance.
6). Don’t hide your router. Set it up out in the open, not tucked in a cabinet.
7). Got a fish tank? Wireless signals don’t pass well through water so keep it away from Nemo and Dory....They won’t be using it anyway.
8). We call this the Captain Obvious approach...Figure out where in your house you use wireless most often and put the router within a clean line of site to that room. A central location, off the ground and out in the open, is the ideal location. Most signals bounce off walls.
9). Limit applications that hog your speed. If your kids are always playing games online or doing video chats, this can make your wireless experience slower for everyone else.
10). Regularly reboot your router. There are a lot of software updates made to your equipment that require a restart just like any other consumer device. You can automatically reboot it by using an old outlet timer.
Bonus tip: Regardless if you rent or own your wireless router, make sure you have the latest equipment and are running the latest system software. Older wireless routers running older software may not be able to handle the speeds that you receive with your Internet service.
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
WiFi is now free when you visit the UK, if you have a MasterCard.
Using your phone or tablet when you're overseas can be pretty pricey.
Luckily, for everything else there's MasterCard, as you can now enjoy
free Wi-Fi in the UK thanks to the card in your wallet.
Credit card and payment services company MasterCard has signed up with British Wi-Fi provider The Cloud for free Internet connection in thousands of public places. The Cloud is a company providing Wi-Fi hotspots around the UK in public places including shops, bars, food places and train stations.
Download the MasterCard Priceless London WiFi mobile app, available now from Google Play or the Apple App Store, and you'll be able to wirelessly connect to the Web at no cost while in the UK.
So when you're on your holiday -- that's British for vacation -- or traveling for business, you can check email, catch up with your social media friends or even just find your way about without racking up huge data roaming charges or burning through your phone plan's data allowance. It also helps you sidestep extortionate WiFi fees from your hotel.
The app also offers deals and promotions based on where you are with MasterCard's Priceless Cities program. If you are planning on using the app, it's important to note that MasterCard says you have to download it and register for the service while you're still at home, before you travel -- so plan ahead and contact MasterCard for more details.
Source: Yahoo Tech
Credit card and payment services company MasterCard has signed up with British Wi-Fi provider The Cloud for free Internet connection in thousands of public places. The Cloud is a company providing Wi-Fi hotspots around the UK in public places including shops, bars, food places and train stations.
Download the MasterCard Priceless London WiFi mobile app, available now from Google Play or the Apple App Store, and you'll be able to wirelessly connect to the Web at no cost while in the UK.
So when you're on your holiday -- that's British for vacation -- or traveling for business, you can check email, catch up with your social media friends or even just find your way about without racking up huge data roaming charges or burning through your phone plan's data allowance. It also helps you sidestep extortionate WiFi fees from your hotel.
The app also offers deals and promotions based on where you are with MasterCard's Priceless Cities program. If you are planning on using the app, it's important to note that MasterCard says you have to download it and register for the service while you're still at home, before you travel -- so plan ahead and contact MasterCard for more details.
Source: Yahoo Tech
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
New mobile phone plan to offer no minutes.
Don’t let the name fool you. TextNow aims to be a lot more than just another over-the-top texting app, and on Tuesday it demonstrated its ambitions by becoming first in the U.S. to offer an IP-only voice service over a smartphone, beating its virtual operator rival, FreedomPop, to market.
TextNow began selling refurbished versions of the Samsung Galaxy S II ($120) and Nexus S ($90), both with their standard phone features disabled. In their place is TextNow’s voice and text app, which lets you make VoIP-based calls and send IP SMS, just as you would on a normal mobile phone.
TextNow is a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) on Sprint, but instead of buying bulk minutes and messages from its carrier partner, it’s sending all traffic over Sprint’s 3G data network.
The advantage of this approach is much lower costs. For its baseline service, TextNow is charging $19 a month, which includes 500 MB, unlimited texting, unlimited inbound calls, and 750 minutes of outbound calls. TextNow assigns you a standard telephone number, making the service look like any ordinary phone to outsiders—think Vonage on a smartphone. Sticking to its OTT roots, however, all calls to other TextNow users are free.
Essentially, the service is TextNow’s standard OTT app featured on a dedicated smartphone, with an access plan included. When Derek Ting, co-founder and chief executive officer of TextNow’s parent company Enflick, gave GigaOM a preview of the smartphone strategy in June, he explained that TextNow has always targeted younger consumers who couldn’t afford—or simply didn’t want—to pay for a monthly mobile service plan. Consequently, the typical TextNow customer uses its app to connect such devices as the iPod Touch or tablets with no mobile connection.
TextNow felt that those customers didn’t just need an app they could use on Wi-Fi but a full-bore mobile service that took advantage of IP communications to offer cheap voice plans. It started out selling a 3G Wi-Fi hotspot that could connect customers to the wider mobile network, but its ultimate goal was to offer phones following the same principle. That’s why TextNow is targeting older Android smartphones and refurbished handsets, Ting said: Not only can it offer a cheap service, but cheap devices as well.
TextNow isn’t the only company with an all-IP mobile strategy. Mobile broadband MVNO FreedomPop has promised to deliver its own VoIP service this summer, using Android phones and its unique freemium business model. MetroPCS has been supporting VoIP on its LTE systems since August, augmenting its traditional 2G network (though that service will quickly disappear as customers migrate over to T-Mobile’s (GSM network). And all the major carriers plan to offer voice over-LTE (VoLTE) in the next few years.
The difference is that the major carriers aren’t necessarily using VoIP to make their services cheaper. They’re tapping VoIP to make more efficient use of their networks and to build new IP communications features around their core voice services.
Source: Business Week
TextNow began selling refurbished versions of the Samsung Galaxy S II ($120) and Nexus S ($90), both with their standard phone features disabled. In their place is TextNow’s voice and text app, which lets you make VoIP-based calls and send IP SMS, just as you would on a normal mobile phone.
TextNow is a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) on Sprint, but instead of buying bulk minutes and messages from its carrier partner, it’s sending all traffic over Sprint’s 3G data network.
The advantage of this approach is much lower costs. For its baseline service, TextNow is charging $19 a month, which includes 500 MB, unlimited texting, unlimited inbound calls, and 750 minutes of outbound calls. TextNow assigns you a standard telephone number, making the service look like any ordinary phone to outsiders—think Vonage on a smartphone. Sticking to its OTT roots, however, all calls to other TextNow users are free.
Essentially, the service is TextNow’s standard OTT app featured on a dedicated smartphone, with an access plan included. When Derek Ting, co-founder and chief executive officer of TextNow’s parent company Enflick, gave GigaOM a preview of the smartphone strategy in June, he explained that TextNow has always targeted younger consumers who couldn’t afford—or simply didn’t want—to pay for a monthly mobile service plan. Consequently, the typical TextNow customer uses its app to connect such devices as the iPod Touch or tablets with no mobile connection.
TextNow felt that those customers didn’t just need an app they could use on Wi-Fi but a full-bore mobile service that took advantage of IP communications to offer cheap voice plans. It started out selling a 3G Wi-Fi hotspot that could connect customers to the wider mobile network, but its ultimate goal was to offer phones following the same principle. That’s why TextNow is targeting older Android smartphones and refurbished handsets, Ting said: Not only can it offer a cheap service, but cheap devices as well.
TextNow isn’t the only company with an all-IP mobile strategy. Mobile broadband MVNO FreedomPop has promised to deliver its own VoIP service this summer, using Android phones and its unique freemium business model. MetroPCS has been supporting VoIP on its LTE systems since August, augmenting its traditional 2G network (though that service will quickly disappear as customers migrate over to T-Mobile’s (GSM network). And all the major carriers plan to offer voice over-LTE (VoLTE) in the next few years.
The difference is that the major carriers aren’t necessarily using VoIP to make their services cheaper. They’re tapping VoIP to make more efficient use of their networks and to build new IP communications features around their core voice services.
Source: Business Week
Monday, April 29, 2013
Microsoft turns Forbes magazines into Wi-Fi hot spots.
In a promotion that melds the dying world of magazines with the living world of Wi-Fi, select copies of Forbes are enjoying a Wi-Fi router, which oozes 15 days of free Wi-Fi through T-Mobile.
This fetching gift was first noticed by someone on the Slickdeals forum -- handle BigMacG4 -- who wondered whether anyone else had been fortunate enough to be gifted this way.
It all seems to be part of a promotion for Microsoft Office 365.
Indeed, a Microsoft spokesperson told Mashable: "The custom 4-page insert with Wi-Fi hot-spot capabilities ran in the May 6, 2013 issue of Forbes and was sent to a limited number of technology and business professionals."
It's not easy to make the cloud seem interesting, so this is one way of at least attempting to inspire.
Those who receive this fine gift ought to remember that they have to charge it first and they should get around three hours of Wi-Fi with every charge.
The router can apparently satisfy as many as five devices at once, which might make your evening commute slightly more entertaining.
Source: CNET
This fetching gift was first noticed by someone on the Slickdeals forum -- handle BigMacG4 -- who wondered whether anyone else had been fortunate enough to be gifted this way.
It all seems to be part of a promotion for Microsoft Office 365.
Indeed, a Microsoft spokesperson told Mashable: "The custom 4-page insert with Wi-Fi hot-spot capabilities ran in the May 6, 2013 issue of Forbes and was sent to a limited number of technology and business professionals."
It's not easy to make the cloud seem interesting, so this is one way of at least attempting to inspire.
Those who receive this fine gift ought to remember that they have to charge it first and they should get around three hours of Wi-Fi with every charge.
The router can apparently satisfy as many as five devices at once, which might make your evening commute slightly more entertaining.
Source: CNET
Saturday, April 27, 2013
Congratulations NYC subway riders, you now have free wifi!
The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority and Transit Wireless announced on Thursday that wireless and Wi-Fi service is now available at more than 30 underground subway stations in New York City.
The project has been in the works for five years, and Thursday's announcement marks the first phase in a multi-year plan to bring wireless communications to 277 NYC subway stations. Transit Wireless CEO Bill Bayne held a press event inside the Times Square subway station, which is among those getting service. "It is a befitting tribute to our mission to enable state-of-the-art wireless service to all of the underground subway stations by kicking it off underneath the most famous crossroads in the world: Times Square," Bayne said in a statement.
In addition to Wi-Fi service, commuters will have access to cellular networks underground. Both Verizon Wireless and Sprint have signed on as cell service providers at 36 stations -- from 14th Street to 96th Street -- joining T-Mobile and AT&T. Other partners include Alpha Technologies, which is proving backup power for the underground system, and SOLiD, which is supplying antenna system equipment.
Transit Wireless and the MTA launched a pilot program in 2011, offering Wi-Fi and cellphone service at select stops on the L, A/C/E, and 1/2/3 subway lines. Wireless service is expected to be available at the remaining 241 subway stations by 2018 or sooner. Stations in Queens and Midtown Manhattan will be next, followed by the East Side of Manhattan and the Bronx. Subway commuters can check if their stop has access at NYCsubwaywireless.com.
Transit Wireless spent approximately $200 million to design, build, operate and maintain the system, initially partnering with Wi-Fi hotspot provider Boingo, AT&T and T-Mobile. Transit Wireless said it would split revenue generated by the system with the MTA, which is estimated to be $40 million over 10 years. The latest development is part of New York City's continuous effort to broaden wireless network services available to residents, commuters and tourists. Ongoing projects include pay phone kiosks in the streets, "micro-trenching" fiber-optic cable to neighborhoods and wireless access in public places. On May 4, AT&T and the MTA will host a "hackathon," where developers will compete to create apps that "solve real-world problems and enhance the transit experience of MTA's 8.5 million daily riders." Dubbed MTA App Quest, the challenge will award a total of $50,000 in prizes. Developers will have the option of building their apps using the MTA's public data and APIs.
Source: Information Week
The project has been in the works for five years, and Thursday's announcement marks the first phase in a multi-year plan to bring wireless communications to 277 NYC subway stations. Transit Wireless CEO Bill Bayne held a press event inside the Times Square subway station, which is among those getting service. "It is a befitting tribute to our mission to enable state-of-the-art wireless service to all of the underground subway stations by kicking it off underneath the most famous crossroads in the world: Times Square," Bayne said in a statement.
In addition to Wi-Fi service, commuters will have access to cellular networks underground. Both Verizon Wireless and Sprint have signed on as cell service providers at 36 stations -- from 14th Street to 96th Street -- joining T-Mobile and AT&T. Other partners include Alpha Technologies, which is proving backup power for the underground system, and SOLiD, which is supplying antenna system equipment.
Transit Wireless and the MTA launched a pilot program in 2011, offering Wi-Fi and cellphone service at select stops on the L, A/C/E, and 1/2/3 subway lines. Wireless service is expected to be available at the remaining 241 subway stations by 2018 or sooner. Stations in Queens and Midtown Manhattan will be next, followed by the East Side of Manhattan and the Bronx. Subway commuters can check if their stop has access at NYCsubwaywireless.com.
Transit Wireless spent approximately $200 million to design, build, operate and maintain the system, initially partnering with Wi-Fi hotspot provider Boingo, AT&T and T-Mobile. Transit Wireless said it would split revenue generated by the system with the MTA, which is estimated to be $40 million over 10 years. The latest development is part of New York City's continuous effort to broaden wireless network services available to residents, commuters and tourists. Ongoing projects include pay phone kiosks in the streets, "micro-trenching" fiber-optic cable to neighborhoods and wireless access in public places. On May 4, AT&T and the MTA will host a "hackathon," where developers will compete to create apps that "solve real-world problems and enhance the transit experience of MTA's 8.5 million daily riders." Dubbed MTA App Quest, the challenge will award a total of $50,000 in prizes. Developers will have the option of building their apps using the MTA's public data and APIs.
Source: Information Week
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