Minimesh

Creating and Managing HotSpots and HotZones Effortlessly

Minimesh

MiniMesh is a fully-functional, end to end wireless broadband service. It is suitable for deployments ranging from a hotspot to a large metropolitan or enterprise deployment.

The low power hardware unit is available in both indoor and outdoor models, allowing indoor Wi-Fi networks to extend outdoors seamlessly. These units are rapidly installed, as they are truly plug-and-play: once connected to power they will find the nearest route to the internet and report to the network management server.

The back office management servers provide full, end to end control over the network and over the service delivered to end users, both in terms of technical parameters (e.g., bandwidth and download limits) and commercial models (such as price packages and walled garden sites.)

Applications

MiniMesh supports a wide variety of applications, where internet connectivity needs to be created or extended. For example:

  • creating a Wi-Fi hotspot in a retail outlet
  • temporary or semi-permanent installations for indoor or outdoor events
  • provision of internet access in remote areas, such as marinas
  • extension of digital access to disadvantaged social groups
  • constructing a local area network where cabling would cause disruption or major expense.

Key benefits:

  • Inexpensive, plug-and-play hardware design allows wireless coverage to be deployed inexpensively and without specialist technical resource
  • The flexible design means the system is compatible with a variety of technical infrastructure models, such as backhaul arrangements and remotely hosted servers
  • Remote management and firmware upgrades allow the system to grow and evolve with the Customer’s needs without major re-engineering
  • inexpensive to operate, because of the rich management information which is made available centrally
  • supports a range of commercial models (free / chargeable / advertising-funded), as specified by the Customer
  • supports both a public SSID and a private SSID with encryption, allowing public services to co-exist with operational processes on the same network

Case Study

Global Reach owns and maintains the world's largest Wi-Fi mesh network, providing wireless internet access across the UK and in countries such as Malaysia, Brunei and Denmark. The system allows a user to purchase airtime from one location, and then use it at hundreds of other locations, including the Thames River Network in London, UK, and onboard the Capital's River Boat Services.