A WiFi hotspot refers to a point of the network that gives access to WiFi internet to several devices in that area. This can be either public or private. A public WiFi does not require password access whereas a private one does.
In several areas like airports or train stations, parks or hotels, where mobile data coverage is not at its best, such WiFi hotspots tend to be very useful for people. A WiFi hotspot network is created from a collection of various hotspots that are all built from the same access points in the network.
Any person with devices like smartphones, tablets, laptops who enters the area with the hotspot, can access the internet for free if it does not require authentication. Many cafes and restaurants have also implemented free WiFi for their customers as a marketing technique to lure people to their places.
When two devices are connected through a hotspot, they not only share the internet but also all the folders on their device. A WiFi hotspot is used for streaming, downloading, and also to connect with people for communication.
The easy way to put it is that an area that lets devices connect to its wireless network is called the WiFi hotspot. A WiFi zone can have more than one hotspot network and the people can connect to the one that gives them good speed and bandwidth.
How does a WiFi hotspot work?
For a WiFi hotspot to work it needs several types of equipment. Only then you can create a WiFi hotspot that spreads across the required area.
- First, you need to connect with a good internet service provider or the ISP.
- After selecting your ISP you need to choose a modem that supports it. Modem means the wired device which is the starting point to a router.
- These days due to the advancement of technology the modem and router are built on the same device.
- For a user to connect to an access point they need to connect to the router, which generates the WiFi signals.
- The internet wire can also be connected to any other device that functions in broadcasting the network.
Qualities of a good hotspot network
Starting and maintaining a WiFi Hotspot can be done easily if the following features are present in it. These factors need to maintain their stability even when a large number of devices are connected to them.
- Always keep in mind that you should set up multiple access points so that the traffic is distributed. When you are required to cover a very large geographical area the network you are building should be able to provide coverage through it. For eg in Airports or malls, these hotspots are set up so that the people travelling can access them.
- Always perform tests on the network to check its speed and bandwidth. People tend to get annoyed and disconnect from the hotspot if it is very slow. Checking that the WiFi hotspot High-Speed network will attract more people to connect to it.
- People are worried to connect to a public hotspot as it can breach their privacy. Ensure that you have taken adequate steps to overcome privacy-related risks. Let people know that connecting to this network is completely safe and their data is secured.
- While starting any new network always plan as to when to start its expansion and what will be the tools that you will require for it. Make strategies where you can have new access points, the hardware, The ISP plan that it will need to support it.
- Maintainance of the Access points is not something that can be done physically. Hire a good IT team to look after it so that it is looked after well. As they are spread on a large scale, these hotspots cannot be manually configured.
- Even though you have several Access points, you will need a single interface to monitor all these from. Make sure that when you are distributing the points you can view them as this helps to monitor them.
- Any network is built with the aim of profits. Profits can be made only when the TCO includes services like regular updates and upgrades.
- The management style which is implemented is one of the main factors in sustaining users.
Difference between a WiFi Hotspot and Mobile Hotspot?
A WIFI hotspot uses an internet network and gives access to people in large areas like Airports, parks, cafes, malls etc.
A mobile hotspot is the wifi network generated from devices like smartphones or tablets. These devices can convert the 3G, 4G, 5G, or LTE into a wifi hotspot so that others around them can connect to it and access the internet from it. The mobile hotspots are portable and can be carried around.
Wrapping it up
Commercial WiFi hotspots let the public access them when they are in the area. Private Hotspots will require passwords authentication to connect to them.
