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Roaming considerations for the Finnish public WLAN market

Roaming considerations for the Finnish public WLAN market. Timo Smura 29.03.2004. Outline. Introduction Players in the public WLAN market Public WLAN value system Roles of the players WLAN roaming Roaming models Roaming architecture Public WLANs in Finland

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Roaming considerations for the Finnish public WLAN market

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  1. Roaming considerations for the Finnish public WLAN market Timo Smura 29.03.2004

  2. Outline • Introduction • Players in the public WLAN market • Public WLAN value system • Roles of the players • WLAN roaming • Roaming models • Roaming architecture • Public WLANs in Finland • Sonera HomeRun, DNA WLAN, Vantaa Energy Wivanet • Conclusion

  3. Introduction • WLANs are becoming increasingly popular • In offices, homes, and public places • Due to standardized, interoperable products and low prices • Public WLAN business emerging • Primary target group: Mobile business users • Interference issues >> One network operator per site >> Need for roaming • A variety of business models exists • The profitable ones hard to find, of course  • Fine grounds for academic research, also

  4. Players in the public WLAN market Site owner Network operator Roaming intermediary Service operator Site owner WISP 1) Site owner WISP / wholesale network operator WISP / virtual WISP 2) Site owner WISP / wholesale network operator Clearinghouse / roaming broker Any operator WISP / virtual WISP 3)

  5. Bargaining power of site owners? Site owner Network operator Roaming intermediary Service operator Site owner WISP 1) Site owner WISP / wholesale network operator WISP / virtual WISP 2) Site owner WISP / wholesale network operator Clearinghouse / roaming broker Any operator WISP / virtual WISP 3)

  6. WLAN roaming • Benefits the whole value system • end-users get more ubiquitous and convenient access • operators get larger footprint and revenue base • site owners can attract all customers equally • Roaming models:

  7. WLAN roaming architecture Source: Intel 2003

  8. Public WLANs in Finland • Market in the hands of mobile operators • Sonera HomeRun • DNA WLAN • Innovative startups are almost missing • No ”greenfield” WISPs • No site-owner WISPs • City-wide hotzone operators give colour to the market

  9. Case 1: Sonera HomeRun • Traditional WISP model • Targets mobile business users • Time-based pricing • Wide international coverage through roaming agreements • No national roaming Pricing: Roaming:

  10. Sweden Finland Telia HomeRun Sonera wGate Telia HomeRun Telia and Sonera merge, DNA Finland buys Telia’s Finnish operations Telia HomeRun Sonera HomeRun DNA WLAN Case 2: DNA WLAN • Service launched after TeliaSonera merger • Traditional WISP model • Targets business users • Although Hesburger deal could mean a change… ? • Many pricing models • No national roaming Pricing:

  11. Case 3: Vantaa Energy Wivanet • An example of citywide WLAN operators • A total of 7 operators in Finland, mostly energy companies • Targets a different market • Fixed broadband access to households and SMEs • Limited mobility and portability possible • Over 50% of households in Vantaa covered • 80% in the end of 2004 • Roaming possible between the 7 operators • Although the subscribers are often fixed in location

  12. Summary and conclusion • Public WLAN business is growing • Profitability of the business still unclear • Finnish market dominated by mobile operators • Greenfield and site owner WISP almost non-existent • Possibility for innovative business models exists • Although not made use of in Finland • National roaming would benefit the whole market • Technically feasible already • Depends on the big players’ attitudes

  13. Thank You! Questions? timo.smura@hut.fi

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