News

Segue to the WISPs

PCTEL's new $2,500 platform is designed to speed adoption of Wi-Fi hotspots by carriers and wireline ISPs by making it easier to offer wireless services to end-users.

by Eric Griffith Managing Editor of www.80211-planet.com [November 7, 2002]

Wireless access solutions provider PCTEL which recently moved to Chicago, IL, today announced its Segue Network Gateway, a $2,500 platform that will help wireless Internet Service Providers (WISPs) and mobile network carriers establish hotspots using Wi-Fi to connect roaming clients.

The Segue platform consists of different products. The Segue Installer and Segue Roaming Client are for end users who are installing a 802.11 network card for the first time. The software will set the user up for roaming between different Wi-Fi hotspots and even cellular networks like Code-Division Multiple Access (CDMA) 1xRTT and General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) if they have that capability.

The Segue Controller handles the AAA (authentication, authorization, and accounting) for the provider with support for Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service (RADIUS). As a router, the Gateway platform routes the Internet traffic for the users, making sure they have valid IP addresses and connects to any servers on the system that tracks subscriber information.

PCTEL demonstrated the Segue Network Gateway platform at the 802.11 Planet Conference & Expo that took place this week in Munich, Germany.

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