Roaming partners include iPass and Airpath Wireless, and Hotspotzz says it plans to support all major roaming initiatives by year's end. Added services include dial-up access (using the same user name and password as hotspot service), e-mail accounts, spam and virus protection, personal Web accounts and Web acceleration.
The network uses 802.11b, and Hotspotzz says it plans to deploy 802.11g and Bluetooth by 2004. The operator uses Web-based SSL authentication and informs users of locations via its Web page and e-mail.
To expand its network, Hotspotzz has an ISP affiliate program, where any ISP can purchase and install a Hotspotzz-enabled access point. Hotspotzz handles the authentication and customer relationships, but the ISP keeps 100 percent of the revenue generated. Presumably, Hotspotzz's payoff is gaining a broader network for its subscribers. This is good example of the innovative business models operators are using to develop the market; however, the Hotspottz network's consumer-oriented hotspot locations were not a good fit for MSE.
Hotspotzz, (887) 580-6231, (801) 924-0900. www.hotspotzz.com
Surf and Sip
Surf and Sip Surf and Sip's strategy is to operate its own network, minimize complementary services and keep costs down. Of its 350 hotspots across 200 cities, 300 are in restaurants, consistent with the name of the company, with the remainder in hotels and marinas. Thirty-nine of the locations are in San Francisco, where the company is based.
