156 Software Networks
connected objects and, more generally, all “things” connected to the
Internet;
– simplicity of connection and creation of new subscriptions,
whether to attach them to an existing account or introduce new
services. The automation of the authentication process and the security
of the connection make Passpoint small-cell access an attractive
solution for content providers and manufacturers of content-oriented
terminals, such as e-readers. Occasional users of Wi-Fi can use
prepaid subscriptions, with the model being similar to that used by
mobile operators.
Service providers are increasingly eager to protect their
subscribers’ paying content. In order to do so, they need to know who
receives that content. Passpoint authentication enables service
providers to verify identity, to have access to the subscribers’ rights
and to offer premium-quality content for subscribers connected to
their home network, a company network or public access points.
Passpoint hotspots offer service providers transparent roaming to
other operators’ networks. To activate roaming, the service operators
first need to establish mutual roaming agreements, covering access
validation and charging. Roaming is based on a single protocol for
network selection and user authentication in the hotspot.
Once roaming between two service providers is activated,
Passpoint devices can connect automatically either to the network of
their own service provider or to that of the other, using the same
procedure. In all cases, the Passpoint client recognizes the access point
as belonging to the list of available networks and establishes a
connection automatically, as happens with roaming for cellphones.
The new functions are activated only if the access point and the
client’s device are Passpoint-compatible. The Passpoint certification
program run by the Wi-Fi Alliance ensures this compatibility. In
addition, Passpoint supports connectivity with non-Passpoint devices.
Clients with valid identification data and using an appropriate EAP
method can connect to Passpoint access points. Clients who do not
have identification data appropriate for EAP methods have to use an
www.it-ebooks.info
connected objects and, more generally, all “things” connected to the
Internet;
– simplicity of connection and creation of new subscriptions,
whether to attach them to an existing account or introduce new
services. The automation of the authentication process and the security
of the connection make Passpoint small-cell access an attractive
solution for content providers and manufacturers of content-oriented
terminals, such as e-readers. Occasional users of Wi-Fi can use
prepaid subscriptions, with the model being similar to that used by
mobile operators.
Service providers are increasingly eager to protect their
subscribers’ paying content. In order to do so, they need to know who
receives that content. Passpoint authentication enables service
providers to verify identity, to have access to the subscribers’ rights
and to offer premium-quality content for subscribers connected to
their home network, a company network or public access points.
Passpoint hotspots offer service providers transparent roaming to
other operators’ networks. To activate roaming, the service operators
first need to establish mutual roaming agreements, covering access
validation and charging. Roaming is based on a single protocol for
network selection and user authentication in the hotspot.
Once roaming between two service providers is activated,
Passpoint devices can connect automatically either to the network of
their own service provider or to that of the other, using the same
procedure. In all cases, the Passpoint client recognizes the access point
as belonging to the list of available networks and establishes a
connection automatically, as happens with roaming for cellphones.
The new functions are activated only if the access point and the
client’s device are Passpoint-compatible. The Passpoint certification
program run by the Wi-Fi Alliance ensures this compatibility. In
addition, Passpoint supports connectivity with non-Passpoint devices.
Clients with valid identification data and using an appropriate EAP
method can connect to Passpoint access points. Clients who do not
have identification data appropriate for EAP methods have to use an
www.it-ebooks.info