High-performance public wireless local-area networks (PWLANs) might soon dot more cities across Asia.
Andrew Ma, Juniper Networks product marketing manager for the Asia-Pacific and Japan, said these hot spots would feature increased security and 'transform today's disparate, operationally intensive PWLAN offerings from commodity Internet access to a profitable, value-added service model'.
Juniper's confidence stems from its portfolio of dominant network operators in the region.
'We supply broadband edge routers to all the incumbent carriers in the Asia-Pacific,' Mr Ma said.
Juniper also is pitching a quick, inexpensive upgrade. The firm's PWLAN system is based on its E-series routers and SDX-300 service deployment system.
'The current approach to building PWLANs uses underpowered and feature-constrained microprocessor-based gateways deployed, configured, and managed at each hot spot, which is a situation that restricts the service to basic Internet connectivity,' Mr Ma said.
At present, commercial hot spots are found in airports, coffee shops, hotels, train stations, and select residential buildings. Most of these use the mobile Internet connection standard called 802.11b, also known as Wi-Fi.