What is a WIFI Hotspot?
From a technological point of view, a WiFi hotspot is a facility that allows devices like smartphones, computers, laptops, tablets, and so on, to connect to the internet and, in some cases, to communicate with each other wirelessly. In the common sense of the word, a WIFI hotspot is a physical place where devices (such as smartphones, tablets, computers...) can wirelessly connect to the internet.
This happens thanks to the fact that the wifi zone is covered by the signal of one or more wireless access points.
How does it work?
To spread the WIFI signal over a determined area, a WIFI hotspot equipment is needed (particularly, hardware devices that are called "wifi access points").
The fundamental requirement to create WIFI hotspots is an access to the internet, provided by a ISP (1): in the case of wired broadband connectivity providers (fiber or ADSL), a modem is needed. The modem is the starting point of the wireless hotspot and it is generally wired connected a the router (2). In some cases, one single device works both as router and modem (and sometimes, as access point).
The router has an ethernet port that allows a user to directly connect any device (3). The router can be used to spread a wifi signal to users' devices, or can be wired connected to an access point (4) that broadcasts the signal (5).
Which type of equipment do I need to create a wifi hotspot?
About the WIFI hotspot equipment, there are many brands and models on the market to answer different needs: indoor and or outdoor devices, ceiling mountable wireless hardware or desktop access points. Each wireless device has its own characterics regarding the maximum number of concurrent users, the distance covered, the direction of the spread signal, and other technical specifications.
Who is behind a WIFI hotspot?
A wireless hotspot is generally managed by a network administrator through a WIFI hotspot software, often a cloud-based one.
The software allows the network administrator to configure the access points and to monitor the WIFI hotspot by, for example, setting up a captive portal (also called hotspot portal or login page).
The hotspot portal is the entrance door for the user to access the internet wirelessly with their devices. Typical settings of a wifi hotspot are password encryption, email authentication, and social login authentication.
What is the main benefit for the user?
When connecting to the WIFI hotspot with a smartphone, the user is not using anymore his mobile data (3g, 4g, LTE, or any other data plan provided by a carrier), allowing him to browse the internet without being limited by the provider's data limits. WiFi Hotspots gives access to the internet to all other devices that do not have a modem inside (laptop, smart tv ).
What is the main difference between a WIFI hotspot and mobile hotspot?
WIFI hotspot is one of the many ways to access to the internet and is usually deployed in public venues like cafés, libraries, hotels etc. We also speak about wireless hotspot or simply hotspot, sometimes written hot spot.
The mobile hotspot is a particular type of wifi hotspot that converts cellular 3g, 4g / LTE signal into wifi and shares the internet access with other devices connected to the mobile wifi hotspot. In simple words, a mobile hotspot is created when using a portable device, or mifi gear, to create a wifi hotspot; what the 3G and 4G / LTE technologies have in common, is that they can provide a wifi hotspot with no need to use ethernet cables to get connectivity from the internet service provider.
We also speak about portable hotspot and personal hotspot when the mobile wifi hotspot is created for personal, and not commercial, use.
