LOS GATOS, Calif., June 22, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Today nextWLAN Corporation (nWC) announced the introduction of the WRR100 WiFi Gateway Router Repeater, a feature-rich WiFi Router for residential and SOHO users, and two associated WiFi Internet access services: Internet Gatekeeper(tm) and Instant Hotspot(tm).
The WRR100 supports two distinct Internet Access services. Internet Gatekeeper, targeted at residential users, restricts Internet access to the subscriber's household by challenging user Names and passwords (issued upon service signup) upon any attempt to email or browse the web.
Instant Hotspot is targeted at small business Internet subscribers desiring to freely share their broadband connections with employees and customers, with the option of making them available to (paying) neighbors, visitors and passersby. Subscriber controlled login credentials allow permanent free access to employees, short duration free access to customers and pay-as-you-go (online credit card WiFi signup) to all others.
"There is absolutely no easier to buy, set up and use WiFi Router that provides such capabilities, convenience and security," stated Carlos Rios, President and CEO of nextWLAN. "A truly brave soul is ordinarily needed to set up an off-the-shelf WiFi Router, hassle to connect it to the Internet, and, heaven forbid, endure the endless calls to Internet access and WiFi equipment Customer Support reps. But our WRR100 comes with an Internet Access subscription from a partner Broadband Provider, works immediately with the broadband modem, controls Internet access from the get-go and requires NO equipment or network management by the subscriber, ever."
"Internet Gatekeeper and Instant Hotspot are simply extraordinary value propositions for both the Broadband Provider and the end customer," said Bill Selmeier, nextWLAN's Vice President of Marketing and Sales. "The Provider adds a 'WiFi Broadband' premium service option to its current Internet Access offerings. The subscriber signs up and enters network and login settings right online. A substantially discounted, if not free, Broadband CPE and WRR100 bundle arrives in the mail, guaranteed to work together right out of the box. The new network is completely pre-configured to allow Internet access only with the login credentials entered upon signup. It's that simple."
For those already Broadband-enabled, nextWLAN will soon offer Internet Gatekeeper and Instant Hotspot on the Company's web site, http://www.nextwlan.com. Upon signup, the customer will establish an online account to manage the login credentials, WiFi SSID and other network settings. The WRR100 will ship UPS. When it arrives, the user simply plugs it into a DSL, cable or satellite modem, powers it on, WiFi-connects the PC and logs on to the Internet.
The WRR100 provides controlled user access Gateway and wireless Repeater features. It offers 4 auxiliary 10/100BT Ethernet ports and a 54Mbps 2.4 GHz WLAN. A firewall protects users from Internet-based intruders. The WRR100 also supports the latest WiFi security (WEP and WPA) mechanisms.
The Gateway challenges all computer users for their User Names and Passwords in order to reach the Internet or email. The subscriber need never worry that neighborhood hackers, spammers or just plain freeloaders use the WiFi Internet connection without permission.
The WRR100 is easily configured as a cascading WiFi Repeater that connects wirelessly to an "upstream" WRR100 and, optionally, to other "downstream" Repeaters. An access controlled WiFi Internet connection may then be extended to an entire residential neighborhood, shopping mall, office/retail building or downtown business district.
"Superusers" both within and outside the WiFi coverage area have full access to all WRR100 device and network status and configuration. WRR100 Routers and Repeaters are fully remote manageable over http, easily allowing an international call center operator to solve a subscriber's equipment or network problem in real time.
"This product will especially appeal to Internet Service Providers who realize they must relieve their customers of the 'network administrator' responsibilities that come with a sophisticated wireless network such as WiFi," said Hector Figueroa, nextWLAN COO. "The subscriber does no equipment setup, and the real experts actually manage the network. The subscriber just uses the WiFi Internet completely at his or her convenience, hassle-free and without worries."
nextWLAN will be showcasing Internet Gatekeeper and Instant Hotspot at this week's anticipated SUPERCOMM show in Chicago. Broadband providers wishing to learn more about nextWLAN's WiFi plug-in solutions for their Internet Access offerings can visit the company's booth located in the Mobility Pavilion, booth #22629G.
About nextWLAN
nextWLAN Corporation was founded in February 2003 by leading industry experts in WLAN systems and embedded software development. The Company's mission is to provide innovative, easy to use enhanced wireless networking products and to enable inexpensive, ubiquitous high speed wireless Internet access services to the vast, emerging consuming public. nextWLAN Corporation is privately funded. www.nextwlan.com