Wireless broadband gateway

NetComm has released the HS800 Wireless HotSpot Gateway, allowing organisations to create a wireless broadband network straight out of the box while avoiding the need for expensive infrastructure or cumbersome registration and billing systems.

The system will allow a diverse range of organisations from shopping centres to universities, cafes and clubs to provide high-speed wireless Internet access from anywhere. It is completely agnostic meaning that users needn't be aligned with any particular carrier. They simply pay for time as they require it and connect immediately after being issued a user name and password automatically by the authentication system. It also allows hotspot providers to fully customise their billing systems, for instance to preset access charges and keep track of network usage. The product also features software enabling hotspot providers to tailor their services to block access to certain websites or utilise tools to create marketing promotions.

Up to 253 users can be connected at any one time, while also having access to peripheral devices such as printers or scanners.

Using a wireless-enabled laptop or PDA-type device, wireless Internet users are able to connect through the HS800 to an established broadband connection and browse the web, access corporate applications or send email at speeds of up to 11 Mbps while having lunch or a drink, or sitting just about anywhere. Security is ensured through SSL (secure sockets layer) authentication, wired equivalent privacy (WEP) and IP/MAC address blocking.

Users can also monitor how much time they have consumed via a clock in the corner of the screen, which is a Java applet generated automatically.