Implementing Multiple WiFi Hotspots Using One Single Embedded Platform

To ofier the mobility to existing flxed broadband customers, Telekom Malaysia (TM) has opted to deploy the WiFi hotspot using the 2.4GHz ISM band. The WiFi hotspot is basically based on the IEEE 802.11 standard. 802.11 is an increasing popular standard that can be easily found in smart devices. Mobile service providers in Malaysia are also tried to o†oad their mobile data from 3G to WiFi due to the tra-c growth. The common problem for WiFi deployment is site acquisition, a time-consuming and costly process. Usually, the suitable sites for WiFi deployment are public places, such as shopping malls, cofiee shops, school, parks and etc. Technically, placing many Access Points (APs) within a site creates the interferences amongst the APs since there are only 3 non-overlapping channels in 2.4GHz. Thus, a single AP which can allow more than one hotspot services is an interesting solution to the service provider. The service provider that owns the infrastructure can then \lease" it to other operators as well. In TM R&D, we have successfully found out a way to implement more than one hotspot services using one single embedded platform. This only requires the flrmware update to the existing embedded platform either with 802.11 chipset or without 802.11 chipset. In this paper, we discuss the technical approach for providing multiple wireless hotspot services using one single embedded platform and also the experimental results.