A community Wi-Fi sharing business, or an Internet hotspot business, can seem intimidating. However, with thorough research, it is doable.
There are three parts to consider when looking at what you need to start a hotspot sharing business: the Internet connection, necessary equipment, and how the variations differ.
Here, we’ll discuss all the essentials needed to start your business.
What Equipment Do You Need to Start a Hotspot Business?
To start selling Internet through a community hotspot or Wi-Fi sharing business, there’s specific hardware and software you need. To start, you’ll need the following hardware:
1. Choose an Internet Service Provider (ISP)
Having an ISP that you can count on is non-negotiable. Your customers will have to access a stable internet that won’t constantly give them issues. Because of the nature of the business, you’re bound to experience days where you run into network issues, but they have to be minimal. So, in choosing an ISP, ensure you find one that’s responsive and quick to resolve its network problems.
Additionally, look at several ISPs and compare their offerings. To start, you’ll need an ISP that offers good bandwidth and a decent cost. However, you must prioritise quality over going for the cheapest package.
2. An Access Point
An access point (AP) is the equipment that will allow your users to connect, as it sends and receives data. Access points use an Ethernet cable to send an Internet connection to a router that you will use to share the Internet as Wi-Fi.
In choosing an access point, you should first evaluate whether you need an indoor or outdoor access point.
Factors to Consider for An AP:
Indoor access points are helpful for setting up in apartments, offices, or shopping centres.
An outdoor access point is helpful when you’re setting up in an outdoor setting, like on a rooftop. With outdoor access points, you must consider factors such as weather, which includes dust, rain, sun, and unforeseen weather changes. Your outdoor access point must be weatherproof, meaning it will be more costly than an indoor AP.
Frequency Type:
You must also consider the access point frequency type. There are two main frequencies. Which are 2,4GHz and 5GHz. The 2,4GHz band has better range. The 5GHz band is faster but has a shorter range.
Fortunately, most modern devices support both, but choosing a dual-band access point gives you the best option. There are also different Wi-Fi standards for APs. It’s crucial that you have a look at APs with MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) technology. The Wi-Fi standards that include MIMO technology are: Wi-Fi 4, Wi-Fi 5, Wi-Fi 6, and Wi-Fi 7.
Wi-Fi 7 introduces MRU (Multiple Resource Units), which lets you serve more customers smoothly at the same time. Instead of Wi-Fi 6, which uses fixed block sizes to divide how the wireless spectrum transmits data, Wi-Fi 7, on the other hand, is smarter about it. It adjusts the block sizes depending on what’s happening. If one part of the spectrum is congested, Wi-Fi 7 automatically adapts and uses a different size block.
However, Wi-Fi is more costly and might not be compatible with all devices. In order not to turn away potential customers who use older devices, the more suitable standard is Wi-Fi 6.
Antenna Power and Coverage:
Antenna power is measured in dBi. The higher the dBi, the greater your coverage range. Lower range access points cover 30 to 50 meters. Professional-grade equipment extends much further. The Huawei AP 761, for example, reaches up to 500 meters.
However, if you need wider coverage, a hack you can use is to link multiple access points together. This is called mesh networking, where access points link together to create greater coverage.
3. Choosing a Router
Your router is what you need to manage authentication and allow customers to connect to the Wi-Fi network. You will need a router that comes with a captive portal configuration. The captive portal is the page that customers will see when they attempt to connect to the Wi-Fi.
When choosing a router, here’s what to look for:
- A good CPU (Central Processing Unit). Look for ARM-based processors running at 880 MHz or higher.
- Adequate RAM to handle multiple simultaneous connections.
- Sufficient storage for your system (Some routers have USB ports or Micro SD ports for extra storage).
Where to Next?
Once you’ve got all the necessary equipment, you need to set up your hotspot and test it to ensure it works. This step might need some technical knowledge. To ensure you’re fully prepared, you can take the following short courses online:
- Powerlynx with MikroTik for Wi-Fi hotspot management: Learn how to set up and run a Wi-Fi hotspot using Powerlynx software, as well as how to configure payment gateways.
- Zero-to-Hero: Introduction to Wi-Fi: Learn about the basics of Wi-Fi and how to deploy a Wi-Fi network.
A community Wi-Fi sharing business, or an Internet hotspot business, can seem intimidating. However, with thorough research, it is doable. There are three parts to consider when looking at what Read More
