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HOTSPOT 2.0 AND THE ENTERPRISE

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10 years ago

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Updated : September 26, 2013 0:0  ,
By Editor

Touted as the next big thing, Hotspot 2.0 set to have a major impact on networks everywhere

The most widely anticipated, but least understood, “next big thing” in the networked world is Hotspot 2.0 (HS 2.0).

A multi-industry initiative or framework for automating many of today’s manual Wi-Fi tasks, HS 2.0 is being driven by the Wi-Fi Alliance (for certification under the PasspointTM program) and organizations such as the Wireless Broadband Alliance (for interoperability). The shared vision for HS 2.0 is compelling: turn the Wi-Fi user experience into one that mirrors the cellular phone by establishing a Wi-Fi connection experience that is secure, automated, and conforms to user/operator policy.

With Hotspot 2.0, it’s now possible to link a huge network of effectively random Wi-Fi access points through a web of interconnections, so users can seamlessly move between Wi-Fi networks from almost any location.

It achieves this through a truly revolutionary overhaul of the Wi-Fi connection procedure.  Using the new IEEE 802.11u protocols, HS 2.0 allows the Wi-Fi client and infrastructure to have a pre-association “conversation” about the capabilities and AAA interconnects of a particular Wi-Fi network.  The client then makes an automatic decision about whether to connect to this Wi-Fi network or not, or potentially to another that is also in range. The selection process can be influenced both by user preference and operator policy. Automating this manual configuration and decision-making process eliminates huge hassles for both users and network operators, and increases the use of Wi-Fi service. Another important benefit of HS 2.0 is the implementation of advanced WPA-2 airlink security and client isolation to effectively automate security.

But while HS 2.0 has been developed and promoted predominately by carriers and equipment suppliers, this new technology looks to have its greatest impact and appeal within the enterprise.  Yes the enterprise. Here’s why.

People use Wi-Fi mostly indoors.  And when they are indoors they are in some building, somewhere. And somebody else typically owns that building and most often the network infrastructure inside. That somebody else is usually an enterprise. A more recent phenomenon is the widespread and growing use of Wi-Fi across public venues. Such venues include hotels, schools, malls, retail outlets, public transport, etc.

In these locations, service providers want to automatically connect their subscribers to their own “branded broadband” service using the venue’s available high-speed Wi-Fi network, which they neither own nor operate. Hotspot 2.0 makes this possible by allowing user devices to automatically connect to any Wi-Fi network that has an interconnection with their “home” service provider. These back-end connections might be direct, but more likely will be indirectly provided through third-party “hubbing” services.

Hotspot 2.0 AND the Enterprise
ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
  • Recurring revenue from wholesaling Wi-Fi capacity to service providers
  • Potential 5 to 10x increase in client capacity/network usage
  • Automated connection experience for users
  • Need for higher grade Wi-Fi gear
  • Increased security for guest public Wi-Fi access
  • Dealing with carriers that may require service agreements
  • Reduced SSIDs (or single SSID) to support different types of users
  • Increased management requirements
  • More users are now visible and using the Wi-Fi network allowing advanced analytics to be gains and service to be offered

This represents an unprecedented opportunity for any enterprise to wholesale their existing wireless LAN capacity to myriad operators by charging them recurring fees for Wi-Fi network access. Enterprises can effectively turn their WLANs, often burdened by large capital and operational expenses to begin with, into profit centres while underwriting the costs to build more industrial-strength wireless network the improves their own users’ experience.

Where it gets really interesting is when Google, Facebook and Amazon.com come into the picture at home provider, using HS2.0 to authenticate users anywhere against their own databases.

Hotspot 2.0 in a Nutshell

The initial work done on HS2.0 (release 1) primarily focused on the foundational work of network discovery and automatic authentication, using a variety of credentials. Much attention has been given to the ability to use a smart phone SIM (subscriber identity module) as the HS 2.0 credential. HS 2.0 also supports client-side certificates or username/password pairs for authentication. Regardless of the specific credential used, HS 2.0 will eliminate the need for the user to fiddle with their device in order to associate to the hotspot.  No more “SSID surfing” or having to ask the barista for the Wi-Fi passphrase.

The ability of the mobile device to “learn” about Wi-Fi network capabilities pre-association will completely transform the Wi-Fi user experience, making connecting to a Wi-Fi network effectively transparent. It will also completely change the nature of a Wi-Fi SSID (Service Set IDentifier).

In the past, users and devices had to “remember” SSIDs that have provided connectivity in the past, so that they can be accessed again in the future. These are typically SSIDs for which they have credentials or which provide open access.

With HS2.0 the importance of SSIDs is reduced. What really matters is if the visited AP has a roaming arrangement with the user’s “home” network provider. In fact the notion of having an AP advertise many different SSIDs for different purposes will also be greatly reduced in favour of Hotspot 2.0 based advertisements. This should also enhance the performance of mobile networks, as it reduces the airlink traffic associated with the beacons and probe responses generated by these additional SSIDs.

Release 2.0, currently in the testing phases, incorporates online sign-up for non-SIM devices as well as operator policy for network selection.

Operator policy helps handsets select the best carrier network to choose based on a variety of options. For instance, the device will be able to select the “best” visited network, based on roaming agreements, service level agreements or any number of other criteria. The good news is that the enterprise is oblivious to all of this as the infrastructure is now smart enough to figure it all out.

Online signup targets Wi-Fi-only devices that don’t have SIM-cards such as laptops and tablets. Online signup allows the infrastructure to transparently place a credential (eg. x.509 PKI certificate) on the device, giving the user the option to “sign up” one time to register for a Wi-Fi service.

Equipment vendors are already supporting HS2.0 in software that can literally be turned on with new and existing equipment and most handset vendors supporting the technology within their operating systems.  In other words, enabling Hotspot 2.0 will require only software upgrades to existing infrastructure and user devices.

With HS 2.0, there looms a massive opportunity for enterprises to create agreements with carriers of all shapes and sizes to wholesale Wi-Fi capacity. But doing this will dramatically change how enterprises need to build out their wireless LAN networks – driving new requirements for higher capacity and more industrial strength equipment.

Hotspot 2.0 puts much more pressure on enterprises to build Wi-Fi networks that can stand an order of magnitude more user capacity. While carriers will see a triple bonus of offload, keeping customers on “their” networks and providing their customers with automatic access to the Wi-Fi networks they (the customers) want to be on.  As mobiles join the Wi-Fi network automatically, venue owners can realistically expect to see about a 10x increase in the number of sessions.

How Hotspot 2.0 Will Work in the Enterprise

A single SSID will be used to advertise automatic authentication to a large number of “home” service providers.

The Access Network Query Protocol (ANQP) is then used to let the devices know which providers have roaming arrangements with the local venue. Some providers will be included in the ANQP advertisements from the AP, while the mobile device may request the complete list. Providers may be listed using any or all of the following identifiers:

  • PLMNID: Mobile Operator Country Code (MCC) + Network Code (MNC)
  • NAI: Network Address ID (i.e. Domain Name), e.g. btwireless.com
  • Roaming Consortium Organization Identifier: This is assigned by IEEE to a single entity or group of entities with pooled authentication

An 802.1x authentication request from the mobile device is forwarded by the local venue WLAN to the home provider via RADIUS.

An essential element in the roaming process, the HLR (home location register) is the database within a GSM network that stores all the subscriber data. If the home provider is a fixed operator, the request could be cleared through their RADIUS infrastructure and subscriber management system. AAA accounting records can also be provided from the local WLAN to the home provider AAA server for billing purposes.

The Generic Advertisement Service (GAS) protocol provides for Layer 2 transport of an advertisement protocol’s frames between a mobile device and a server in the network prior to authentication. The GAS protocol transports ANQP elements between clients and APs, allowing a mobile device to query an AP prior to association to determine the network’s capabilities and reachability information.

Up to three providers’ organization identifier (OI) can be advertised in the roaming consortium element found within the beacons and probe responses. These would be cached in the AP.

If the client requests the full list of providers, the ANQP/GAS request would be forwarded by the AP to a GAS server function in the network. If there are a limited number of providers, the GAS server function could exist on the controller. In the longer term, as HS 2.0 becomes more widespread, the GAS server function will be centralized and service the entire Wi-Fi network.

Taking the tech talk out of it all, what this means is that any enterprise venue will be able to use their existing WLAN network to offer capacity to carriers that are looking to give subscribers a seamless Wi-Fi experience – just like they have today with their cell phones but without broadcasting numerous Wi-Fi SSIDs.

With HS 2.0, enterprises venue owners and operators can now begin to better monetize their Wi-Fi network investments through these roaming arrangements and the settlements that they entail.

Now the big question is when does all this become real? The answer is more muddy than clear.  While the technical aspects of HS2.0 have been proven and demonstrated, the business models and framework for implementation still need to be fleshed out. Most expect that this will happen in late 2013 and early 2014.  But get ready, with Hotspot 2.0, enterprise Wi-Fi will never be the same.

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ADCB Rated the Strongest Banking Brand in the UAE for the 2nd Consecutive Year

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8 hours ago

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April 29, 2025

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ADCB

Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB) has seen the value of its brand surge to AED 12.3 billion, a 17% increase from the previous year, according to Brand Finance Journal’s latest Top 500 Banking Brands report. As a result, ADCB has advanced seven places in the global banking brand value rankings to the 102nd position. A key driver to this growth is the bank strength score, which gauges brand investment, stakeholder equity and business performance. This score has risen to 81.5% (brand strength rating: ‘AAA- ‘) this year, positioning ADCB as the highest rated bank in the UAE for brand strength.

By outpacing the overall UAE banking sector’s 16% rise in brand value and the global industry’s 14% increase in brand value, ADCB has cemented its status as one of the region’s most pioneering and ambitious banking brands.

In the same report, Brand Finance also measures the contribution that CEOs make as “guardians” of the value of their brands. ADCB Group CEO Ala’a Eraiqat was ranked among them top banking sector CEOs globally – 12th overall – and the 1st for banking brand guardianship in the UAE for the 3rd consecutive year.

Savio D’Souza, Senior Director at Brand Finance, commented: “ADCB’s impressive rise in brand value reflects a well-executed strategy focused on innovation, customer experience, and leadership which demonstrates ADCB’s position as a standout performer in an increasingly competitive global banking landscape.”

ADCB remains steadfast in its commitment to setting new standards in customer experience by successfully delivering a spectrum of initiatives designed to advance the distinction and sophistication of its banking services. Anchored by an ambitious digital transformation strategy, the bank is leveraging cutting-edge tools such as artificial intelligence to unlock new possibilities for customer personalisation and tailored services. ADCB’s recognition by Brand Finance is a testament to the bank’s relentless pursuit of excellence and innovation at every turn.

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Dubai Startup Hushday Raises AED 2 Million to Launch the Middle East’s First Premium Flash Sales Platform

Published

4 days ago

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April 25, 2025

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Hushday

As global luxury faces headwinds in key markets like China, and as consumer behavior across the GCC shifts toward value-driven, digital-first experiences, a new retail-tech player is emerging in Dubai to meet that moment.

Hushday, invitation-only flash sales platform, has raised over AED 2 million (USD $550,000) in pre-seed funding from regional tech investors. Its ambition: to create a new channel for luxury and premium brands to grow in the Middle East — with full control, brand integrity, and next-level performance.

While inspired by European models like Veepee (valued at over €4 billion) and Gilt in the US, Hushday is not a copy-paste. It’s a GCC-first model, built locally for brands and consumers who expect more: exclusivity, experience, and execution.

“We’re not here to patch a post-COVID inventory issue,” says Jennifer Cohen Solal, CEO & Co-founder. “We’re here to open a new, scalable path for growth — for brands who want to reach a younger, price-sensitive, digital audience, without damaging their equity. The demand is here. The region is ready.”

A Private Sales Model Built for Today’s Reality

Unlike traditional outlets or mass-discount platforms, Hushday was designed as a strategic distribution layer, where brands can activate curated drops in a brand-safe, high-conversion environment — and tap into valuable new audiences in the process.

The platform has already signed dozens of brands — from regional players to global names — and offers full control over pricing, visibility, and inventory strategy. Brands receive real-time analytics, customer insights, and dedicated onboarding support.

“This isn’t just about clearing stock,” adds Jean Thillaye du Boullay, COO and former Carrefour executive. “It’s about reaching a new audience with purpose — and turning each campaign into both revenue and retention. From curation to delivery, we handle the full experience with precision and speed.”

A Curated Experience for Customers — With Access at the Core

Hushday operates on a referral-only model, granting invited members access to limited-time sales across fashion, beauty, accessories, electronics, home, and leisure. Each drop is personalized, mobile-first, and designed to create a sense of rarity and excitement.

With up to 50 flash sales per month, loyalty rewards, and AI-powered recommendations, the experience is built to convert — while reinforcing desirability.

“For our users, it’s not about discounts. It’s about access,” says Riad Djabri, CTO and former engineering lead at Doctolib. “We use tech to make the experience smarter — more personal, more seamless, and more rewarding. Our goal is to turn every flash sale into something that feels tailored, not transactional.”

Hushday stands out not just for its unique format but for how seamlessly it aligns with the region’s pulse, needs, and ambitions. Entirely based in Dubai and backed by local tech investors, the platform is tailored for the Gulf, offering a deeply relevant and timely retail experience. At the core of its operations is a fully robotized third-party logistics (3PL) system, ensuring end-to-end efficiency and excellence across the region. With the GCC’s premium off-price market expected to hit $6 billion, Hushday is stepping in with a bold, digitally native, and brand-safe model that’s designed specifically for this market—not borrowed from outdated global playbooks. “We’re not replicating what worked in Europe 10 years ago,” says Jennifer Cohen Solal. “We’re building what the Middle East needs now — with its own codes, pace, and expectations. And we’re doing it at scale.” After launching in the UAE this month, the company is already eyeing rapid expansion into Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Kuwait, fully intent on tapping into the massive regional demand for smart, high-quality off-price retail.

MEET THE FOUNDERS

Hushday’s founding team combines deep experience in fashion, e-commerce, tech, and operations—with a track record of scaling high-growth businesses in Europe and the Middle East.

Jennifer Cohen Solal – CEO
With 15 years of experience in e-commerce, Jennifer has held leadership roles as Chief Marketing Officer for major fashion and tech brands, including some of Europe’s top private sales platforms. Before launching Hushday, she founded one of Paris’ most talked-about food startups—a digital-first brand that reimagined the world of French pâtisserie and made headlines for its bold, chef-led concept.

“We don’t believe in waste. We believe in reactivation. That’s the future of retail.”

Jean Thillaye du Boullay – COO
A retail and logistics expert, Jean spent a decade at Carrefour and Majid Al Futaim, managing over 1B AED in annual turnover and leading large-scale digital transformations. At HushDay, he’s driving the commercial & operational engine with a focus on excellence, cost control, and scale.

“Our role is to create a win-win channel: an off-price destination where brands can clear inventory without harming their image, while customers access coveted labels at exceptional value. It’s built on trust, desirability, and a seamless experience from click to delivery.”

Riad Djabri – CTO
Riad is a former engineering lead at Doctolib, one of France’s top unicorns. With a strong product and tech background, he is now driving Hushday’s vision to become the next-generation retail platform for the GCC.

“Our ambition is to build a tech platform that evolves with the brands we serve — integrating AI, circularity, and real-time insights to create a smarter, more sustainable way to sell luxury. But we’re equally focused on the customer experience: making every flash sale more relevant, more personal, and more seamless for the people who matter most.”

ABOUT HUSHDAY

Hushday is the first premium private sales platform built specifically for the Middle East.
 Founded in Dubai in 2024, the company offers luxury and premium brands a secure, high-conversion channel to manage excess inventory — while maintaining full control over pricing, image, and positioning.

The platform is invitation-only, operating as a curated destination where members access exclusive flash sales across fashion, beauty, accessories, home, electronics, and leisure. With up to 50 sales per month, Hushday delivers a mobile-first, gamified experience tailored to GCC consumers.

The platform will officially launch in the first week of May 2025 in the UAE, with plans to expand to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Kuwait in 2026. Backed by regional tech investors and powered by a fully automated logistics partner, Hushday combines premium retail standards with operational scalability — making it a strategic new growth channel for brands in the region.

Launching the 2nd of May 2025 in the UAE, Hushday is available by invitation only.

🔗 Join the waitlist: [www.hushday.com]
 📸 Instagram: [@hushday_me]
 📧 Media Enquiries:

Sudhashree Dash

0553498382

press@hushday.com

sudha@memc.co

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Hospitality

Arabian Travel Market 2025’s Travel Tech Exhibitors Increase 25% Year-On-Year as Value of Global Travel Technology Market Hits $10.7 Billion

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6 days ago

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April 23, 2025

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Arabian Travel Market

With the global travel technology market currently valued at $10.7 billion, leaders and innovators from around the world are preparing to steer the future of the tourism industry at the 32nd edition of Arabian Travel Market (ATM), which will take place at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) from 28 April to 1 May 2025.

ATM 2025’s extensive conference programme and exhibition reflect this year’s theme, ‘Global Travel: Developing Tomorrow’s Tourism Through Enhanced Connectivity’. With Travel Tech exhibitors experiencing year-on-year growth of 25% and the segment’s exhibition space expanding by 22%, this year’s event will explore how technology is transforming the tourism sector, presenting new growth opportunities for enterprising start-ups and established multinationals alike.

The Future Stage at ATM 2025 will host a range of expert speakers, who will explore how advances in fields such as analytics and machine learning, workplace collaboration, blockchain, next-gen mobility and augmented reality are driving our sector forward. This year’s event represents an unparalleled opportunity for exhibitors to showcase their innovations in front of an international audience of senior decision-makers and purchase influencers.

Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, said: “ATM Travel Tech draws together the best and brightest from across our industry, creating an unrivalled forum for discovery, debate and deal-making. Now more than ever, opportunities related to connectivity and integration are at the forefront of our minds, and they will take centre stage at ATM 2025.”

According to IMARC Group, the global market for travel technology is on course to hit $18.6 billion in the next eight years, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.05% predicted during the period 2025-33. ATM 2025’s Future Stage will host a range of presentations designed to highlight opportunities within this exciting and lucrative space. This year’s sessions will feature topics such as: ‘Generational Trends Influencing Hyper-personalisation in Luxury’; ‘Travel Technology: Get Ahead or Get Left Behind’; ‘AI: Everywhere All At Once’; and ‘Data-Driven Travel: The Next Frontier of Destination Transformations’, among others.

Tourism has consistently been an early adopter of emerging technologies, and digitalisation continues to drive seamless, frictionless travel. Looking ahead, the development of smart travel facilitation, smart destinations and new employment opportunities is set to contribute to economic, social and environmental sustainability across our sector.

While the Middle East and Africa’s (MEA) travel tech market is facing stiff competition from Asia-Pacific nations, countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia are responding effectively to increased demand from tech-savvy consumers, leveraging the latest innovations to enhance their appeal as global travel destinations.

“I can’t think of a better host city for ATM Travel Tech than Dubai, which continues to raise aspirations both regionally and globally with its commitment to the Smart Dubai strategy,” said Curtis. “Smart travel, transport, artificial intelligence (AI) and urban planning initiatives are driving increased innovation and connectivity across the emirate, making it the ideal meeting point for leaders and disruptors from other markets.”

Smart technologies, mobile applications, contactless solutions and similar cutting-edge innovations will be on show at ATM 2025’s Travel Tech exhibition, which will showcase a dynamic lineup of new and returning exhibitors including Amadeus, Huawei, Sabre, Expedia, Travelport, Dida Travel, Hotelbeds, WebBeds and Moonline Travel, among others.

ATM 2025 will bring together professionals and industry leaders from the leisure, luxury, travel tech, corporate, and meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) travel sectors, providing a platform for networking, knowledge sharing and business opportunities. In addition to the exhibition, international and regional experts will take to ATM’s Global, Future and brand-new Business Events stages throughout the event to deliver an extensive conference programme.

Held in conjunction with Dubai World Trade Centre, ATM 2025’s strategic partners include Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), Destination Partner; Emirates, Official Airline Partner; IHG Hotels & Resorts, Official Hotel Partner; and Al Rais Travel, Official DMC Partner.

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