Unlike our Enterprise Platform (Free WiFi and Pre-paid WiFi found in the Hotspot Owner Section), Community WiFi uses off-the-shelf equipment and an Open Source Captive Portal Solution.

There’s no reason you shouldn’t try it yourself, but why would you? There are no monthly costs and the hardware is really cheap. In fact you can even bring your own hardware (BYOHW) and use our servers for the captive portal.

How? You buy a pre-configured router from the PolkaSpots Online Store. Plug it in to your broadband connection and within a minute, you’ll have a free WiFi Hotspot for your customers.

Your customers will find themselves with free WiFi when they visit you. All they do is sign-on to your network and, like our Enterprise Platform, they’ll be presented with a login screen (captive portal). The similarities stop here. To get online, all they need to do is enter their email address and register. They then have 20 minutes to check their email and activate their account. If they use a fake address, they get cut off after 20 minutes. Simple!

We’re not offering any support, management, branding, Quality of Service, Service Level Agreements so if you need a little more assistance or are going to rely on this heavily, you need our Enterprise Solution, which is a little more expensive but is fully featured and guaranteed to last.

You can find out more about Community WiFi here.

Because we’ve reached this grand old age, we thought it would be nice to share the brief history of PolkaSpots, The Wireless Hotspot Company.

It All Started With A Server, Sitting On The Floor In A Small Basement Flat In Ladbroke Grove, West London…

In the summer of 2005, Simon Morley was fresh from a Mechanical Engineering degree, and considering his career options. Just by chance, his local café asked if he could provide affordable, timed Internet access. Digging around, it seemed that only large companies were providing this kind of service…but they were expensive and inflexible.

And so PolkaSpots was born. Simon gained a new flatmate – a single server in a massive box, humming relentlessly away 24/7…no sleep without earplugs, no room in the kitchen, and electricity bills going through the roof!

The first mail-shot saw lots of companies sign-up, and PolkaSpots’ customer-focused, personal service continued to attract new business. A year later, Simon was joined by Web Ninja, Michael Speechley who’s helped grow the company from just 30 Wireless Hotspots to over 150.

Moving Forward

The PolkaSpots Network covers most of the UK and also operates several large-scale mesh networks, including the North East Lincolnshire Wi-Fi Mesh in Grimsby, part operated by Kingston Communications. Further a-field through other partnerships PolkaSpots is expanding into the Netherlands, and also supports voluntary organisations to provide Wi-Fi access in rural Africa.

Today, PolkaSpots has 5 permanent employees and four part-time marketing and support staff. And we’re still listening to our customers.

We still have to confirm whether the Internet was available elsewhere. Certainly we’re pretty sure most of our Wireless Hotspots were up and running and people were able to get on with their strange browsing activities.

Specialist Wi-Fi Hotspot company PolkaSpots has enabled rural African Co-operative Internet Service Provider LinkNet to realise their dream of rolling out telecommunications, technical support and training throughout the villages of Macha and Mukinge, bringing the 21st century to villagers in Zambia in a sunstainable manner. It does so by providing telecommunications carrier grade access and accounting application services to LinkNet.

With the introduction of the Internet in rural Africa, the potential for changing people’s lives in that part of the world is enormous.

• Quality education can now be extended to more students.
• Pupils boarding at school are now able to keep in contact with their parents.
• Teachers can check that their salaries are in the bank before they make a round trip to the nearest town, 70 miles away.
• Chiefs can now contact local villages via email and spend the time they’ve saved assisting others.

The following stories illustrate just how far-reaching these changes already are:

Local farmer Fred Mweetwa used the Internet to teach himself how to grow sunflower seeds and produce sunflower oil. He now has a flourishing business employing 10 people.

8-year-old Merel van Stam sits in front of her computer and music keyboard and waits for her music teacher’s instructions. More than 8,000 miles away in Lakeville, Minnesota Kristin Shoemaker boots up her computer and webcam and plugs in her keyboard. She uses video services to upload daily lessons. Ms. Shoemaker teaches Merel how to play basic piano chords and scales with the same clarity as if she were sitting next to her. They can even play the piano at the same time!

LinkNet and PolkaSpots aim to continue rolling out this technology across the region in order to benefit as many as possible.

Closer to home, PolkaSpots is working to broaden access to the Net across the UK and Europe. Alongside their successful pre-paid service, they have just launched a new low cost, fully managed, free WiFi package designed for small businesses.

About PolkaSpots

Started in 2005, PolkaSpots Limited is a small, privately owned Wireless Internet Service Provider based in West London. They provide businesses in the UK with fully managed Wi-Fi Hotspot solutions allowing customers to get online wirelessly at a very low cost. They also provide third party companies around Europe and rural Africa with a fully-hosted, white label billing and authentication system that enables them to roll out their own Hotspot Network with low capital outlay.

PolkaSpots have just introduced a new free Wi-Fi service which allows a small location to provide their customers with unlimited free Wi-Fi for a fixed monthly fee of only £14.99 plus a one-off cost of £99.99 for the Wi-Fi Hotspot Box.  It’s better, faster, cheaper, easier, simpler, more handsome and generally a little more interesting than all the other companies that do Wi-Fi Hotspots Why?  Well, there’s……

• A fixed monthly cost.
• No blasted voucher codes to buy and then lose.
• It’s fully supported and maintained.
• It’s cheap – really cheap in fact.
• It’s monitored!
• There are no hidden charges.

With no Internet Vouchers required it’s a single click to get online.  Here’s the scenario…..

1. Customer arrives
2. Customer buys coffee
3. Customer goes online
4. Customer leaves with a big smile on their face

The bottom line is that it’s the best and cheapest service on the market – and that’s as straight up as a double expresso doing a handstand!

However, regardless, of whether a seeker or provider of comfort be you, upgrading to PolkaSpots Wi-Fi is one luxury that everyone can still benefit from.  Not only is a bespoke, seamless and keenly priced WIFI internet service ensured, but also such a Hotspot is incredibly good value. And from only £12.99 per month, perhaps after experiencing PolkaSpots, maybe guests will just go home, get rid of their existing broadband connection and sign up.

It’s not always necessary to spend a fortune to expect the best.

www.twitter.com/polkaspots

To start 2009 off with a bang, we’ve just launched a new Wireless Hotspot Blog that has just been started on blogspot.com. For the foreseeable future, we’ll be using both sites to update you all with news and information about PolkaSpots and our Wi-Fi Hotspot Service.

You can read the full Wi-Fi Solutions blog here.

Unfortunately, the excellent reputation that The Hempel enjoys in all other aspects of its service (and which also includes their stylishly acclaimed I-Thai Restaurant and Zen Garden Square) was not being mirrored by the Wi-Fi service provided by The Cloud. PolkaSpots were brought in to replace this poor, uneven and unreliable coverage in order to offer The Hempel’s guests a wireless service that could genuinely enhance the hotel’s image and reputation, plus provide a local and bespoke service for their wireless internet requirements.

Because of the exclusive nature of The Hempel Hotel, PolkaSpots were able to tailor their needs to offer a wraparound WiFi facility for their guests via a discrete branded login-in system, rather than the usual practice of providing Internet Vouchers for guests to get online wirelessly. Accommodating guests in this manner is de rigeur in such an elite environment.

To facilitate these improvements we installed 2 bonded adsl 2+ lines to provide nearly 40mb/s download capacity.  We also installed a content filter to prevent abuse of the network and organised a PolkaSpots Managed Service Wireless Hotspot Controller to authenticate users through the bespoke wifi login screens.  Lastly, we relocated several of the wireless access points and installed a number of new ones, which we felt would better serve the needs of the establishment.

Since then the Hempel Hotel and its guests have enjoyed an effortless and uninterrupted Wi-Fi Hotspot Service which, coupled with the attention to detail that PolkaSpots pays and guests at such an establishment would expect, have brought a great deal of satisfaction to both parties.

Have a look at their bespoke wifi login pages here.

• Pre-paid Wireless Internet Vouchers
• Branded Wi-Fi Login Screens
• Branded Wireless Payment System

We can customise all aspects of the Wireless Hotspot System, from the addition of a few logos and messages to a completely white-label Wireless Hotspot Service.

Wake Up London £2 Pre-paid Internet Voucher

Umi London £3 Pre-paid Internet Voucher

SNO!zone £6 Pre-paid Internet Voucher

SNO!zone £3 Pre-paid Internet Voucher

Rivergate £3 Pre-paid Internet Voucher

PolkaSpots £6 Pre-paid Internet Voucher

PolkaSpots £5 Winter Pre-paid Internet Voucher

PolkaSpots £3 Pre-paid Internet Voucher

PolkaSpots £2 Winter Pre-paid Internet Voucher

Kitchen and Pantry £6 Internet Voucher

Kitchen and Pantry £3 Internet Voucher

PolkaSpots £3 Internet Voucher Version 2

The aim of the high-speed broadband hotspot is to create an attractive area for pedestrians, residents, workers and visitors to Grimsby. User with Wi-Fi enabled mobile phones, pda’s, laptops and other devices will be able to get online whenever they want.

The Wireless Network has been partitioned to provide safe and independent access for both the public and governmental realms. Public users of the network must register their details before getting online, although free access has been granted to some local resources. Once registered, they may use the Wireless Internet Connection whenever and however they desire.

Peer-to-peer applications have been blocked. However, unlike most public and free networks, the aim is to provide the most unobtrusive browsing experience for the end-user. Where most similar networks log the customer out after an hour, using the NELC Wi-Fi Network, users can surf the Internet for as long as they want!

Council workers don’t have to register beforehand, instead requiring the use of a WPA key to get onto a hidden SSID on a separate VLAN.

The Wireless Broadband Hotspot is live now however it’s official launch will be May 26th 2008. If you happen to require wireless access when you’re shopping in Grimsby, search for the Network with the name; NEWEBLINCS.

You can watch the demo of the setup here:

You can also register for free wireless internet access in Grimsby centre here!

Read the article here:

This is Grimsby WiFi Hotspot

polkaspotswifi.blogspot.com

Keep checking back to see what we’re up to!

Because we are a Green Wireless Hotspot Company, we’re going to be planting an extra 50 trees this month with Carbon Clear. You can do you part too! Please sign-up for one of our Green Internet Vouchers and we’ll plant some trees on your behalf. You can read about our Green Vouchers here…

Green WiFi Hotspot Article

The Wi-Fi Installation took place during January 2008 and we’re pleased to say that the three indoor slopes are now live!

Next time you’re in the area, pop in for a bit of skiing / snowboarding and don’t forget your laptop, iPhone, iPod touch or pda. Sit back and relax with a beer afterwards and enjoy our high-speed WiFi connection. While you’re there, don’t forget to browse for clothing and accessories on the SNO!shop or book your next tickets for the SNO!zone sites. All for free.

See their branded prepaid Wi-Fi Internet Vouchers here:

£3 – 60 Minute Multi-use Internet Voucher
£6 – 180 Minute Multi-use Internet Voucher

You can also see the branded login screens here:

After landing myself in hospital during a Snowboarding trip over New Year, I think I’ll be giving the slopes a miss and will check my e-mails instead.

Have fun,

Simon

Not a bad start, but still not good enough…

Let’s hope January is a better month. Next time you sign up for an Internet Voucher, why not spend an extra pound or two so we can plant trees for you too?

Read more about Green Wi-Fi Hotspots here.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wifi_hotspot

At PolkaSpots, we set-up and manage dozens of broadband Hotspots across the United Kingdom. You can read more about our Wireless Broadband Hotspots here.

We set everything up remotely and you’ll receive your WiFi Hotspot in a box, already pre-configured, connected and ready to go. All you will need to do is plug it into a power supply and wait.

You’ll also receive a wide range of advertising materials from menus to window stickers. These are essential parts of your Wi-Fi Hotspot and are key to the success of your location.

Also included will be some Internet Vouchers to get you started.

Finally, we monitor things remotely so we will know if there are problems. If we need to make any changes or update your settings, it’s all done through our centralised management system.

Call now on 020 7183 1471 to order your WiFi Hotspot in a box.

There is no software to install and you’ll have nothing to worry about going wrong. Our Wi-Fi Hotspots work straight out of the box. In fact, setting up is so simple, we often get calls from customers who are shocked there isn’t more to do!

Your customers will find it easy too. All they’ll need is a wireless device, such as a phone or laptop and a pre-paid Internet Voucher. There’s no wireless hotspot software to install and nothing to worry about.

Please read about our packages in the Wireless Hotspot Owners Section.

A completely White Label Wi-Fi Hotspot Service, visitors to the The Rivergate Shopping Centre will be able to get online Wirelessly throughout. We’re offering free and unlimited access to the centre’s website, so you can find what you’re looking for instantly.

For visitor information, please visit their website (www.rivergateshoppingcentre.com)

Check our their dazzling branded WiFi Hotspot Login screens and prepaid Internet vouchers.

You’ll be able to buy your affordable multi-use prepaid Vouchers from participating shops and customer services. For more information, please visit their dedicated support website.

PolkaSpots is one of the UK’s leading Wireless Broadband Providers. (Read about PolkaSpots – The Wireless Hotspot Company here). Our solutions are perfect for Public Hotspots, Offices, Apartment Blocks and Cities.

Choosing a PolkaSpots Wi-Fi Hotspot assures you the best possible service on the market today.

If you want to offer your clients Wireless Broadband Internet Access all you need is a PolkaSpots Wireless Hotspot Box and a Broadband Internet connection (which we can organise for you).

Once connected you sell your customers prepaid WiFi Internet Vouchers which you buy from PolkaSpots at a 40% discount.

Installing a PolkaSpots Wi-Fi hotspot will attract new customers. You earn commission from each sale and your customers are more likely to return to your location.

“Join – Connect – Sell – Earn”

Because we setup everything remotely, all you need to do is connect our Wi-Fi Hotspot box to an Internet connection. Within minutes, your location will be another awarding winning PolkaSpots Wi-Fi Hotspot!

If something goes wrong, we’ll be there to support you and if your Wi-Fi Hotspot users are having problems with our Wi-Fi service, they get 24/7 support from our trained operators. Because we monitor all our Wi-Fi Hotspots remotely, we’ll know if there is a problem before you.

Call the PolkaSpots WiFi Team now on 020 7183 1471.