WLINK recently launched Wi-Fi hotspot firmware for its range of mobile routers, targeting in particular the public transportation industry.
The firmware allows for operators to upload advertising media onto the router so that when a user connects to the hotspot they are presented with a landing page displaying that media content. Once users accept the terms
and conditions on the landing page they are redirected to the operator’s webpage and provided with full Internet connectivity. An advanced firewall feature complements user connectivity as IP, MAC, domain, port and keyword filtering can be managed locally by an operator or remotely via a control room.
The actual process of using the router with this firmware and customising the landing page is quite simple: a SIM card is inserted, GSM and Wi-Fi antennas connected, then the router is powered on and connected to from a PC via a LAN cable in order to access the device as an administrator. Once the user has access to the router, the APN needs to be set up correctly, and the Wi-Fi network name and password, as chosen by the administrator, are selected in the ‘WLAN / Basic Settings’ menu.
Up to this point, everything is very much the same as setting up a basic router for home use. The first ‘advanced’ setup is the customisation of the landing / splash page. This is achieved by editing an html file, which includes customisation of graphics as well as an editable blurb for terms and conditions of use.
In order to maintain network quality for connected Wi-Fi clients, the administrator then has the ability to set limits on logged time, idle time, as well as download and upload speeds. Since the firmware is designed specifically for unlimited free use for the public transport sector, there is no option to switch to a paid data model once limits have been reached.
In line with other advanced functions which WLINK offers, the bus / taxi firmware carries no additional charges, and can be supported on a variety of the company’s devices. When ordering hardware, one simply has to ensure that the appropriate firmware has been specified.
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