Tuesday, July 5, 2011
My Google Reader on the keyword "broadband" was flooded today with headlines about one story: Adaptrum's white space technology was unveiled in the UK and... drum roll please... IT WORKED!  Great.  So what does that mean?

First of all, what is White Space spectrum?
Imagine that TV channels are like those people who inherently shout every time they're on a cell phone as though they were still using one of the giant gray bricks from back in the 80's.  In a large room, if 5 or 6 of these people are all trying to have a conversation at one time, they will need to spread out.  One loud mouth can't chat on his cell phone right next to another.  And when they spread out, they leave unfilled space between them.  Then, in walks you: the super-cool guy wearing your bluetooth headset and talking at a normal volume.  You can walk freely in and among these other loudmouths without disturbing their conversation, nor them disturbing yours.  You're walking in the white space. 

When the FCC licenses channels, such as TV channels, they don't abut them one after another.  This is why I grew up watching a TV that utterly confused a young kid trying to learn to count.  We started at 4, then 6, then 8, then 13, 18, 23, 40, and 59.  What's up with that?  The FCC has to leave un-used white space between these loud channels so as to avoid interference.

What is so revolutionary?
That's great, but this spectrum has been here for decades.  What has Adatprum done that's so new?  For starters, they have made a solution that navigates the dynamic nature of white space.  Transmitters are typically provisioned for one specific spectrum.  Adaptrum scans the local channels (just like your TV would when you first plug it in) and finds the safe white spaces where it can transmit.

More than that, though, it has gotten the FCC's approval to use these white spaces without licensing.  Among the unseen costs of your wireless broadband are the fees that carriers have to pay to the FCC for the rights to exclusively own their spectrum.  Because Adaptrum is programmed to "play nice" with existing broadcasters, they've finagled a way to not have to pay those fees to use a given frequency.

Where can it be used?
There's lots of talk about this becoming the next generation of wireless broadband spectrum.  But, to be honest, we are years if not decades from that reality.  The major providers have a lot of testing, integrating, and provisioning to do before white spaces could be added to the till for wireless spectrum on a national level. 

Where this technology may see commercialization (Adaptrum is, after-all, a venture-funded startup) in the near future is in local Wi-Fi meshes in communities, neighborhoods, or on campuses like universities or corporate campuses spanning multiple buildings. 

Labels: Adaptrum, FCC, spectrum, white space, Wi-Fi

posted by Unknown at 11:22 AM Link to this Article  0 Comments

Tuesday, July 6, 2010
We have all done it, right? Sit down for coffee at your favorite hot-spot: Panera Bread, Starbucks, and even several C-Stores now have them. Pop open the laptop, connect, and open a browser window. But, before your can really connect, your browser is redirected to a screen requiring your agreement. If you don't know what I'm talking about, that's probably because you just click 'I Agree' too fast to even realize it's happening. It's a habit. Nobody reads those things anymore, right?

Free WiFi Users - What you Need to Know:
As a user, what do you need to know about these agreements? Well, I must confess, I'm no attorney, nor should you take this as legal advice. However, in my opinion: just click 'I Agree.' As I will expound upon below for WiFi providers, these agreements are meant primarily to protect the provider from legal ramification of yours (or your fellow users) indiscretion. Despite the paranoid ramblings that Google is trying to own the world's data, or that Facebook holds people's data hostage, the simple fact is 99.9% of the Terms of Use found on any web page or WiFi hotspot falls under the CYA category, not the world-domination category.

In any case, what is your alternative? Approach the barista and ask for an addendum to the agreement before you click I Agree? Are you going to write it out on a cocktail napkin and have a waitress initial it? Just click 'I Agree' or go buy an air card -- which, by the way, likely has the exact same terms of use.

Free WiFi HotSpot Providers - What you Need to Know
Now, if you're the provider of these WiFi services, your Terms of Use are not so inconsequential. So, without being construed as legal counsel, allow me to offer some technical know-how that might shed some light on why you should take these agreements seriously (and, if you don't have one, get one).

• First, any activity on the internet is identified first and foremost by IP Address. Seeing as how it is unlikely that you are assigning unique IP addresses to your users, this means that if someone sits down, hooks up, and hacks a system: when the breach is found, all fingers point to you! If fraudulent emails are sent, illegal content uploaded, DOS activated, etc. -- you're hands are dirty.
  
• With this in mind: realize that you CAN indemnify yourself within the terms of use, AND log the identities of your users for forensic purposes in the future. First, talk to your lawyer about an indemnification clause. Second, disclose in your terms of use that you will store something called a MAC Address, and then do so. Finally, require some identifying information before log-in. WiFi is a privilege, not a right, and it's perfectly acceptable to ask for an email address before granting access.
• With all the criminal risks covered, there is still the issue of loss or damages. If you are the provider of a service--even a free service that's a privilege not a right--courts have affirmed you're liable for that service's performance. That is, of course, unless you disclaim such liability. If a business owner connects momentarily to send a big proposal to his hot prospect, and it never goes through. Or, if sensitive information is compromised on your unsecured network, you need to be able to wipe your hands and say, "Not my problem." Get a lawyer to write your Limitation of Liability clause and make sure that's the case.
  

Labels: C-store, Free Wifi, I Agree, Terms of Use, Wi-Fi

posted by Unknown at 10:09 AM Link to this Article  0 Comments

Thursday, May 27, 2010
In our nation's largest city, it is no surprise to find that AT&T has been battling with an overwhelmed network. The increased popularity of 3G-enabled wireless devices has finally pushed their infrastructure to the limit. The AT&T cell towers in New York city face problems ahead if they cannot keep up with 3G demand.

So, what's the answer? Get the users to stop relying on 3G. To reduce the load on the cell towers in and around the city, AT&T plans to offer free wireless hot-spots where AT&T customers can get Wi-Fi at no charge rather than relying on the standard data network.

To pilot the program, seeing what real affect it will have on network load, the first free wireless hot-spot has been set up and is now live in Time Square. For a range of 2000 feet from the city's famed landmark, AT&T customers can enjoy Wi-Fi speeds--even faster than 3G--at no extra charge.

So, will it work? I have my doubts for one simple, and seemingly insignificant reason. Laziness...

As an avid iPhone user, I am prompted constantly to join networks. In the city, there are dozens of wireless networks available to join at any given point. The problem is, historically, these have all been security-enabled networks. So, while I'm on the go and in a hurry, I rarely bother to sort through the networks available to find a free one, after all, why bother? The 3G works just fine.

So, the challenge for AT&T is going to be making it as easy as possible for its customers to connect to this new Wi-Fi network instead of the already-available 3G. My suggestion: create a unique name for the network, then push an OS update that automatically switches to the AT&T-provided wi-fi if it's available without the user having to do anything.

What do you think? Any New Yorkers out there excited for this new offer, or do you fear it will never gain popularity?

Labels: 3G, ATT, Hotspot, iPhone, New York, Wi-Fi

posted by Unknown at 4:12 AM Link to this Article  0 Comments

Friday, April 23, 2010
It seems every week there is another business seminar, sales training event, networking cocktail hour or some other event that promises to make you a better business person. Some are free (and well should be), but many charge a nominal fee. I saw one recently that I caught my eye and I decided to spend the afternoon in sessions at this half-day sales rally. After all, it was just $45... pay at the door.

I got there early -- as is my habit with any appointment -- and the event staff was still setting up. I overheard enough conversation to know that they were searching for the hotel/conference WiFi. Free public WiFi, that is. We've all been there, right? Looking through the list of networks within signal reach, looking for the one that says "Unsecured Network." Jackpot.

"Ahh, found it." One lady said. Then, looking up to me, she said, "Ok, I can take your credit card now, sir." Really? On an unsecured network. Is that PCI Compliant?

I hate to admit, but I went along. I suppose I'm a risk taker... a thrill seeker. Or, maybe I just didn't think there were any hackers on the network at that exact moment. But, it highlights a very important point: free public wifi is not the solution for card processing on-the-go.

This occasion, however, is not the least of the travesties in the special event business. Over the years, I've stood in line at check-in tables while my credit card number was written down on a spreadsheet to be charged later. I've listened as card numbers and other vital PAN data was read over the phone in conspicuously public places. I've even replied to a vendor who emailed me simply asking, "what's your card number and exp date?" As if I was to reply directly back with the information. I decided to call, instead.

If you're on the go, and processing credit cards from mobile locations, the investment in mobile broadband to establish your own, secure, connection to layer 3 would be well worth it. What are some of the best mobile card processing solutions you've used? Please share your recommendations here.

Labels: Broadband, PCI Compliance, PCI Compliant Broadband, Wi-Fi

posted by Unknown at 4:32 AM Link to this Article  0 Comments

Tuesday, June 23, 2009
With gas getting more and more expensive these days, it's no wonder people drive less. But, don't c-store's make oodles and gobs off that pricey petrol? Well, if the cost breakdown that I've seen on stickers at the pump is correct, the retailer's share is slim-to-none. In fact, their are bigger problems for a c-store's bottom line than just their small share of fuel sales. When people buy less gas, they buy less inside, as well.

It should come as no surprise to many in the retail industry that fuel pumps aren't the business, they're just the bait. If you have a captive audience for even 60-seconds during a fill-up while kids in the back scream for a pop and the slushy poster is right outside their window... you can guess who typically wins this battle. The lifeblood of a convenience store is in food sales, not gas.

So what happens when people buy less gas? According to the Research and Markets Convenience Stores US 2009 report, sales have been trailing off since 2006. Why? Some possible causes include not only reduced gas consumption, but also shorter trips, less cross-country drives, which ultimately lead to fewer pit stops with a van-load of cabin-fever kids.

Stores today have to find more ways to make food service a strategic differentiator. Successful stores in our area have begun to create an atmosphere and experience that defies the typical gas-n-go we're all used to. Free wi-fi, higher-quality food, eat-in areas... all this amounts to one thing: changing the bait. When gas no longer brings them in, something has to. Convenience stores today have to become convenient for more than just drivers.

Labels: Convenience Stores, Economy, Wi-Fi

posted by Unknown at 6:08 AM Link to this Article  1 Comments