STOCKHOLM, Sweden, March 21, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- Anyone with a WLAN enabled laptop PDA can now connect to the wireless Internet in downtown Stockholm, Sweden. This is possible due to the recently launched public hot spot network project Streetwise. The network is managed and operated by Aptilo Networks and its complete system solution for public local mobile networks, hot spots.
Streetwise is a full-scale wireless network test bed open to the general public. It involves the retailers and restaurants at the shopping street Biblioteksgatan, and altogether 14 companies with different expertise in wireless infrastructure and mobile services. Streetwise aspires on making maximum use of today's possibilities with mobile Internet. It's a unique co-operation between companies who want to show what's possible to do and at the same time, learn more about technical solutions and usability.
"For us Streetwise means a great way of showing how Aptilo Networks can run and operate a complete public hot spot on behalf of a customer. Although we operate other hot spots like at Kastrup airport in Copenhagen, Streetwise is the most advanced set up with regards to services and applications we have done this far," said Torbjorn Ward, CEO of Aptilo Networks.
The heart of the network consists of Aptilo's Mobile Access Server and Access Point Controller in combination with access points for WLAN (802.11). The network covers the entire shopping street Biblioteksgatan including indoor's at the eight shops and restaurants taking part in the Streetwise project. On top on offering local mobile services users can also via credit card pay for ad hoc wireless Internet access.
"Streetwise is not primarily a commercial project. Everyone involved has contributed with their own time, knowledge and technology. We want to put up a showcase of what's possible today. In return we get a chance to learn more about the market and the technology," said Damian Herbert Director for Steetwise. Damian Herbert works at Bluegrid Technology who initiated Streetwise.
Apart from Aptilo Networks and Blugrid Technology, also Appear Networks, Brainpool, Casio, Consumer Intelligence, Cint, Columbitech, Compaq, Contur, Intel, Mint, Oracle, and Starcus take part in the Streetwise project.
Read more about Streetwise on the web: www.blugrid.se/streetwise.
About Aptilo Networks
Aptilo Networks develops and provides system solutions to operators of unlicensed wireless networks, such as Bluetooth and WLAN (802.11), and provide hot-spot services to local area owners. The company is Stockholm- based, with a regional office for Asia-Pacific in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and was founded as a spin off from the Mobile Internet division of Axis Communications. Aptilo's suite of solutions offers operators a convenient and effective way to integrate access points in an advanced wireless public hot spot environments. It enables payment via service subscription, credit cards, by integration with mobile operators to pay with mobile phone subscriptions and also other payment enablers such as iPASS/GRIC and other customer bases.
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