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Blog 'wlan' » Creating hotspot can be cheap and easy, experts say

BY JOHN REID BLACKWELL

Setting up a public Wi-Fi hotspot is not difficult or expensive, according to experts. "In terms of cost and what is required to set this up, it really depends on how involved a business owner might want to get," said Dennis Eaton, chairman of the Wi-Fi Alliance, a nonprofit organization that sets standards for Wi-Fi equipment. A "bare bones" hotspot can be set up for just about $100 for the equipment, and about $40 a month for a broadband connection.

The equipment involved is pretty simple. First, the hotspot location needs a high-speed Internet connection. The owner should check with the Internet service provider for what restrictions it might have on Internet connection sharing. Once a high-speed connection is available, the hotspot needs an access point, also known as a base station because it works like a cordless-phone base station. The access point lets wireless devices such as laptops connect to a wired LAN, or local area network.

Indoors, an access point will cover about a 150-to 300-foot radius, so anyone within that range can use the hotspot, including the people next door or someone parked on the street. The more area you want to cover, the more access points you'll need, and the more likely it is that an expert will be needed to set up the system that works properly.

Full Story at Times Dispatch
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