PieNetworks teams with Ruckus Wireless to deploy 'carrier grade' public WiFi networks

Stuart Corner
Monday, 12 December 2011 08:36

IT Industry - Strategy

PieNetworks (ASX: PIE) - a company with a decade long history manufacturing public access Internet kiosks - has teamed up with WiFi access point vendor, Ruckus Wireless, to deliver managed "carrier-grade" WiFi installations to Australian businesses.

In addition to providing Internet access for smartphone and table users the access points would also provide content and promotions for the business or businesses hosting the installation.

According to PieNetworks there is growing demand for reliable and high capacity public WiFi services because of the high cost of cellular broadband and the often poor performance in indoor locations as a result of congestion and coverage limitations.

"Users with [smartphones and tablets] are increasingly looking for Wi-Fi connectivity when they are out and about - high speed and low cost, carrier grade Wi-Fi is in many cases a much more attractive connectivity option than 3G," PieNetworks says.

"Enterprise and retail, sports stadiums and event venues, airports and transport hubs, pubs and clubs, holiday parks, schools, libraries: the opportunities for WiFi deployment as a value added service for businesses to offer their customers are increasingly broad."

Ruckus Wireless boasts technology that improves the throughput of standard WiFi with "patented'¦wireless technology that steers signals around obstacles and interference'¦extends signal range and ensures consistent reliable distribution of delay-sensitive multimedia content and services over standard 802.11 WiFi." The company claims to have shipped over two million Smart Wi-Fi systems around the world and has raised $US51 million in venture capital funding.

PieNetworks' partnership with Ruckus follows a collaboration in which the two provided WiFi Internet access for Tabcorp over a limited area of Flemington Race Course in Melbourne during the recent Spring Carnival.

According to PieNetworks "Tabcorp was able to provide all its customers with free high speed access from their Wi-Fi capable smartphone or tablet to Tabcorp content and mobile apps. It was a far more satisfying experience than for those customers who had to deal with highly congested 3G data services."

The partnership and focus on public access WiFi services also marks a change of strategy from the company following the resignation recently of founder and CEO, Campbell Smith.

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