Ruckus Wireless, Inc. (NYSE: RKUS) announced today at the Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA) Wi-Fi Global Congress being held here, that the Ruckus Hotspot 2.0 Online SignUp, Policy, and Subscription Management Server will be part of the Wi-Fi Alliance (WFA) Hotspot 2.0 Release 2 certification testbed. Additionally, several Ruckus Smart Wi-Fi products, including the Ruckus ZoneFlex 7372 access point (AP) and the Ruckus SmartCell Gateway (SCG) 200 are now Wi-Fi CERTIFIED for Passpoint Release 2.
Hotspot 2.0 is revolutionizing the process of connecting to a Wi-Fi network while roaming on a mobile device by making the connection experience as automatic and secure as the cellular experience. This enables the countless islands of Wi-Fi connectivity that exist all around us to be woven together into one seamless and ubiquitous service offering. The larger this web of connectivity becomes, the greater the utility of the network. In addition to a totally automatic connection experience, all user traffic over the airlink is encrypteda huge plus in today's security conscious world.
Ruckus is a major force in the promotion and adoption of Hotspot 2.0, with Passpoint products that support Next Generation Hotspot (NGH) Wi-Fi deployments around the world. Next Generation Hotspots are becoming increasingly mainstream, with more and more multiple-system operators (MSOs), mobile network operators (MNOs), public venues, municipalities, and fixed line operators looking to adopt and incorporate the technology into their networks. In fact, more than 20 service providers are participating in a live 'NGH experience' during the Wi-Fi Global Congress in San Francisco, including: AT&T, Boingo, BT, China Mobile, FON, KT, Linktel Corp, Meteor Networks, Mobily, NEC Biglobe, NTT DOCOMO, Orange, PCCW, Portugal Telecom, SKT, Shaw Communications, Telkom Indonesia, Towerstream, and TRUE Thailand.
Causing a Ruckus with Hotspot 2.0 Release 2
As part of the Wi-Fi Alliance Hotspot 2.0 Release 2 testbed, Ruckus Wireless Hotspot 2.0 Online SignUp, Policy, and SubscriptionManagement Server technology is an essential part of the Release 2 offering. Ruckus Smart Wi-Fi technology provides a mechanism by which a user can get a credential downloaded to their wireless device that will allow them to automatically and securely connect to available Wi-Fi networks while on the move. In some cases, a credential might already exist on a mobile device such as a SIM card on a smartphone, but in other cases a credential must be downloaded, which is covered in Release 2. This is a major step forward in further increasing the utility of a Wi-Fi offering by greatly simplifying the user experience. It also opens up opportunities for service providers that don't use SIM cards for authentication, and it enables other mobile devices like tablets and laptops to also get easily and securely connected while on the move. Additionally, Release 2 introduces Policy and Subscription management features that allow operators to offer various types of Wi-Fi services (e.g., PayGo, vouchered access, etc.) and have some control over how their credentials are used to connect.
Ruckus is also providing the NGH network for the WBA Wi-Fi Global Congress being held at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco. NGH is the WBA program that is tasked with commercializing Hotspot 2.0 technology. The Ruckus-powered Wi-Fi network for the 'NGH Live Experience' at the Congress consists of equipment that carries the WFA Passpoint designation. This network is also able to roam with the Ruckus Hotspot 2.0 networks that were recently deployed by the City and County of San Francisco and the City of San Jose, CA, as well as the San Francisco network operated by TowerStream. This is a first for an NGH demonstration network, as it allows seamless Hotspot 2.0 roaming as a user moves through the covered areas of the Palace Hotel, out onto Market Street in downtown San Francisco, and at popular locations such as Union Square and Fisherman's Wharf. It also represents one of the great advantages of Wi-Fi technology, namely, the opportunity to roam not just with other service providers but also with municipalities, public venues, and even private businesses, many of which have a Wi-Fi footprint in highly desirable locations.
