IEEE 802.11u and Hotspot 2.0

Your device supports WLAN connections according to the IEEE 802.11u standard and the Hotspot 2.0 specification, which is based on it. Using 802.11u you have the option to implement automatic authorization and authentication of your users on a local WLAN network (for example, within your company) or a Public Spot network. The prerequisite for this is that the relevant stations (smartphones, tablet PCs, notebooks, etc. ) also support connections for 802.11u and Hotspot 2.0. In detail, the following functions are offered:

Example: For example, a user who is in transit in the city with his 802.11u-enabled smartphone (station) can enable the WLAN feature to browse the Internet. The station then starts trying to find all available Wi-Fi networks in the area. If any of the access points offer 802.11u, the station selects the one network that best fits the required service based on the operator and network information that was previously obtained, for example, from a hotspot offering Internet access from its own cellular network company. In this case, the subsequent authentication can be performed automatically via the SIM card so that the user does not need to intervene at any time during the process. The encryption method selected for the connection – e.g., WPA2 – is unaffected.

In summary, connections according to 802.11u and with Hotspot 2.0 enabled combine the security features and performance of classic Wi‑ Fi hotspots with the flexibility and simplicity of data cellular network connections. At the same time, they relieve the cellular networks by redistributing data traffic (and possibly also telephony) to the network connections and frequency bands offered by access points.

Passpoint® Release 2

As of LCOS 10.40 the extended Hotspot 2.0 feature in your WLAN device can be configured as per Passpoint® Release 2 as specified by the Wi‑Fi Alliance. The RADIUS server in the LCOS has been equipped with the necessary features since 10.32 version RU4.

Passpoint® Release 2 simplifies the onboarding of devices into a network using the WPA2-Enterprise (802.1X) encryption method. A dedicated onboarding SSID allows a user with a device that supports Passpoint® Release 2 to install a profile and automatically switch to the encrypted network using the stored credentials. This helps to implement hotspots that provide encrypted wireless communication. An onboarding SSID can be used to give guests temporary access credentials.

Similarly, a mobile service provider can relieve the load on their cellular network by introducing Wi-Fi offloading and allowing mobile devices with a SIM card to automatically log into their WLAN network. Customers' devices find the WLAN network from the mobile service provider and automatically login to the operator’s WLAN network using the user data stored on the SIM card.

Passpoint® Release 2 adds the following features to Hotspot 2.0:

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