Hotspot 2.0 Overview

Hotspot 2.0 can be leveraged to set up a guest hotspot service, offering public access to users through its Wi-Fi networks. It streamlines the process of accessing Wi-Fi networks by a variety of devices that have Wi-Fi capabilities, such as APs, smartphones, and so on. Hotspot 2.0 networks are created by Wi-Fi operators and identity providers. A Wi-Fi operator deploys and operates an access network of publicly accessible or guest access APs. An Identity Provider provides network services and operates the AAA infrastructure required to authenticate subscribers. The Wi-Fi Operator and Identity Provider may be the same or different entities. The Service Providers (SPs) that can be accessed at a hotspot are referred to as the roaming partners for that hotspot. The Identity Provider performing the authentication can provide its subscribers with AAA connectivity to its network through the hotspot. Identity Providers are advertised using 3GPP cellular network information, an NAI realm list, or a roaming consortium list. There can be one or more identity providers per Hotspot 2.0 access network.

Following are the benefits:

• Automates the connection experience at hotspots, providing a secure encrypted airlink for public Wi-Fi networks
• Supports multiple roaming partners over a single SSID

Requirements

This feature has no special hardware or software requirements for feature enablement or usage.

Considerations

This feature has no special considerations or limitations pertaining to feature enablement or usage.

Best Practices

This feature has no special recommendations for feature enablement or usage.

Prerequisites

This feature has no prerequisites to feature enablement or usage.