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Suburban Sports Group is pleased to announce that it is offering its patrons wireless Internet access throughout its facilities. The recently launched service will allow customers to work and surf the Net while waiting for skaters to complete their programs, practice or games. Following are some additional facts about wireless Internet service:
What is WiFi?
WiFi is new technology that turns a broadband signal into a broadcast signal and distributes that signal over a very short area, from 150 to 300 feet. Any device with a wireless card, a laptop or a personal digital assistant (PDA), can access that signal wirelessly and have access to the internet. WiFi is also known by the 802.11 technology standard and the terms ‘Hot Spot’ and ‘Internet Cafe’ mean WiFi service is available.
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What equipment do I need to use wireless internet?
You need a laptop or notebook computer or a PDA equipped with a standard Internet browser and a WiFi compliant (802.11b or g) wireless Ethernet card. Cards are available at most electronic retail outlets and many of the newer laptops are being sold with internal wireless cards already installed.
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Can I use my Mac machine to access the network?
Yes, with an Airport card or other wireless card and the appropriate software installed.
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What about security?
This Network Nation access point is as secure as any open public access network, like public telephones and dial-up internet accounts. We encourage every Internet user to install the appropriate software security on their laptop or PDA. It is recommended that users who wish to send credit card information or other proprietary data, or who want to connect to corporate computer networks, secure their connections with Virtual Private Network (VPN) technology. It is advisable that every user utilizes the appropriate security methods if they wish to send and receive sensitive data over this or any other public network.
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How do I access the service?
Wireless networking is quite easy once your card is installed and your settings are in place. Once you boot up your computer your wireless card should alert you that a Network Nation access point is available. Click on the Network Nation icon and you should be allowed access after an authentication transaction. Network Nation provides 24/7 customer support @ 1-866-497-5377. We also suggest you consult you WiFi card owners manual or card manufacturer directly.
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What does the service cost?
Network Nation provides Internet access at very reasonable rates. Our current rate plan is:
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$3.00 for 30 minutes
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$4.99 for 24 hours
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$9.99 for 300 minutes per month
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$15.99 for 500 minutes per month
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$24.99 for unlimited monthly minutes
All transactions are done through a secure transmission with a credit card. You will be billed monthly and can cancel at any time using the account management feature on the login page.
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Where else can I use my monthly subscription?
Network Nation is a roaming partner with NetNearU. Look for the “NNU Roaming Network” logo when you travel and you can log on to the service at no additional cost. For a list of locations go to www.nnu.com. While there is no additional charge for roaming on these hot spots, you will use minutes. Network Nation is also a roaming partner with BoingoWireless. There is a charge for using the Boingo network (www.boingo.com) of hot spots; however your authentication process will be simpler.
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Tell me more about the hot spot industry.
The hot spot industry has exploded recently to cater to the business traveler. To date, there are more than 10,000 public hot spots across the nation. Locations such as airports, hotels and convention centers are starting to provide wireless Internet access to serve the 15 million North Americans who work on the road daily with their laptops. Soon all laptops will be shipped with wireless ability, a number that will reach more than 15 million annually by 2005. By the end of 2006, users will be able to log on at one of the 50,000 hot spots that are expected to be available. Revenue from hot spot subscriptions is expected to hit $3 billion annually by 2007 with 21 million users paying for service.
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How can I learn more?
Any Internet search engine can produce articles of interest about WiFi. We also suggest visiting the www.intel.com and www.boingo.com website for interesting developments in the industry. Furthermore, there are several hot spot directories that will give you listing of hot spots by state and city. We suggest www.jwire.com, as well as the www.nnu.com website.
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For more information on Network Nation visit us on the web at www.networknation.us
or call our office at 703-448-9414. | 
