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Introduction

Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN) are increasing becoming an attractive alternative to licensed spectrum. Initially thought of strictly as a competitor to 3G, WLAN is now thought of as a complement to cellular based data services, providing a high bandwidth alternative to 3G at a fraction of the cost.

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Public Access WLAN

Being that WLAN’s are only available through limited access points referred to as hot spots, it is important to recognize that WLAN service does not allow for truly ubiquitous service. Public Access WLAN requires deployment of certain network capabilities including access control, authentication, authorization, and usage accounting. In addition, clearing and settlement among businesses in the value chain is required, as access point providers, serving networks, and home networks all need to be paid appropriately. Only through the implementation of these capabilities may a service provider effectively provide WLAN roaming to it customers.

Billing

One of the key aspects of providing public WLAN is to offer comprehensive billing services. Many services only offer the ability to charge to one's credit card. As services evolve, the need to offer billing to one's cellular service provider bill or other billing alternative will become increasingly important.

Clearing and Settlement

The ability to settle payments among providers of service across the entire Public Access WLAN value chain is critical to offer WLAN roaming service, as each party must be paid there due or roaming would not be allowed to occur.

3G and WLAN

One of the more important issues associated with WLAN roaming is the ability to allow roaming between 3G and WLAN services. This is a key capability to allow for a seamless service experience between all the (licensed and unlicensed spectrum based) services that a mobile network operator may offer.

WLAN roaming may utilize some of the same GRX-type infrastructure (such as AAA servers) as used for GPRS or 1xRTT roaming, thus providing synergies and economies of scale and scope to common service providers.

Seamless Service Handover

As public service further evolves, increasingly more wireles devices will include smart client software that automatically detects available spectrum and switches over to the best available or per the user preference, allowing for a seamless experience - no break in service.

WLAN Roaming and Service Bureaus

All of the aforementioned support services are arguably best provided by some sort of a service bureau, outsourced offering on behalf of members of the Public Access Wireless LAN value chain.

Summary

Public Access Wireless LAN has begun the life cycle as basically a service island, just as cellular once did before roaming. As the service evolves roaming will be critically important for basic services as well as various WLAN-based applications.

Over time, the tradional use of WLAN (laptop use) will be eclipsed by the use of many WLAN equipped devices such as PDA's, providing a truely pervasive always connected community of users.