Updated November 5, 2003
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Hotspot Technical Developments
November
12, 2003. San Francisco, CA. Hosted by iPass.
Chair: Peter Rysavy, Rysavy Research.
CONTENTS
Background
Meeting Agenda
Meeting Location
Hotel Information
Registration
Information for Presenters
Wireless hotspots have gained a lot of attention, particularly as the number of hotspots has increased dramatically, and WLAN technology has become prevalent. The debates of whether hotspots are complementary or competitive with 3G cellular go on, as does the nature of an effective business model, but nobody can deny that hotspots are becoming an important part of the networking landscape.
This goal of this meeting is to examine the latest technical developments
affecting hotspots, including standards, interoperability and interaction
with cellular data networks. This will include an overview of smart client
connectivity methods, wireless security considerations including the use
of VPNs and the application of IEEE 802.1X to public networks and cellular
based authentication methods such as SIM.
Recent developments in this area include:
- Voice over WLAN. (e.g., Toshiba just announced new Pocket PC devices with support for VoIP over WLAN)
- The Oct 20 release by the WLAN Smart Card Consortium of the WLAN-SIM 1.0 specification.
- Microsoft's announcement on Oct 12 of it's Wireless Provisioning Services to facilitate hotspot access using Windows XP.
- Efforts by 3GPP and the GSM Association WLAN Task Force in this area.
- Improved software clients that integrate hotspot location directories and automated logon.
- The promise of using EAP-SIM (also PEAP-SIM, AKA-SIM), with 802.1X and RADIUS for a standards-based approach that offers comprehensive security, roaming, integration with cellular networks and an instant-on user experience.
- Multiple SIM options including USB devices, smart cards, Bluetooth/IR connections to cell phones and virtual SIMs.
- Recent projections by Pyramid Research of 45,000 hotspots globally by the end of this year.
At this meeting, we also plan to analyze something we are calling service
continuity, which refers to how wireless devices should behave when network
coverage is marginal, or in the presence of multiple networks. For example,
should a multi-mode device always try to acquire a WLAN connection when
both a WLAN and cellular data connection are available? Under what conditions
should it move from one WLAN network to a different one? It could get
expensive at an airport to automatically purchase multiple 24 hour blocks
of service from different operators. For a cellular data connection, if
coverage is weak from one operator, should the device connect to another
operator? The PCCA is considering the development of profiles that define
exactly how devices operate in these conditions. Vendors could then design
to these profiles, and applications could specify which profiles to use.
Meeting time: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The preliminary agenda is as follows.
- Introductions
- Organization update and future meetings
- Host Presentation: Joan Fazio, IPass
- Presentation: "SIM-based authentication", Timo Jokiaho, Nokia
- Presentation: "EAP-SIM Interoperability Testing and Inter-operator Roaming Trials", Paul Reddy, Intel
- Presentation: "Smart Client Interaction with PWLAN Networks", Roy Albert, iPass
- Presentation: "Practical Approach for Deploying SIM-based Authentication Over 802.1x", Joe Fried, Flash Networks
- Presentation: "Microsoft Wireless Provisioning Services"
- Presentation: "Global Hotspot Directory", Kevin McKenzie, JIWIRE
- Presentation: "Service Continuity: Categorization, Needs and Approaches", Jan Forslow, IP Unplugged
- Discussion and analysis
- Development of conclusions, recommendations and action items
The meeting will be held at the DoubleTree Hotel by the San Francisco International Airport.
DoubleTree
Hotel San Francisco Airport
835 Airport Blvd.
Burlingame, CA 94010
Reservations under "PCCA"
1-800-222-8733 or 1-650-344-5500
Room rate $129 (non-smoking)
DoubleTree has a Complimentary Shuttle to and from San Francisco International
Airport every 15 minutes.
The registration deadline is one week prior to the meeting.
If you are interested in attending this meeting, please register by sending e-mail to:
.
Please include your name, company name, e-mail address and phone number and indicate whether you are attending the workshop, meeting or both.
Meetings are intended primarily for PCCA members. However, non-member organizations that have not attended a prior PCCA meeting, interested in the topic and wishing to learn about the PCCA, may attend on an introductory basis for a fee of $375 per person. This fee can be applied towards membership. For others, please contact us for alternative arrangements.
The following information is for people presenting at this PCCA meeting:
- Presentations are typically 30 minutes to 45 minutes long unless arranged otherwise.
- This is a technical audience, so please make the presentations technical. Emphasis
- There is usually a 5 to 15 minute discussion following the presentation.
- We will provide an LCD projector.
- The audience is technical, consisting mostly of engineering and program managers.
- Generally, 30 to 50 people attend each meeting, representing a broad spectrum of
- If you are presenting a technical contribution, please provide hard copy for attendees. We will advise you on the number.
- We request a copy of your presentation (PDF or PPT) before the meeting so that we can post it in the members area of the PCCA web page.
should be on industry issues and proposed solutions versus selling your product.
the wireless industry, including carriers, infrastructure vendors, device vendors,
software vendors and computer vendors.