In the Age of Smart, Why is WiFi Still Dumb?

It’s not WiFi’s fault. It’s not that the technology itself is dumb. It’s actually that we haven’t fully grasped just how powerful wireless communications could be. WiFi is a highway, a platform, a tool. We can do so much more with it if we start thinking outside the router box. Here are three smart ways to evolve standard WiFi into Smart WiFi.

Hospitals Should be Smarter

For years, WiFi has proven to be a useful tool for hospitals. From wayfinding to temperature control, the applications are limitless.  Still, there are a couple of glaring concerns facing healthcare WiFi – security and usage. Inside hospitals, a secure network is not only practical for visitors but is critical in protecting confidential patient information.

As patient records become more and more digitized, a potential hack could compromise a plethora of confidential patient records.  A network breach puts the hospital at risk of being in major violation of HIPPA.  Hospitals have to make security the first priority – even when it comes to WiFi.

Once the network is secure, the next challenge is speed, access, and controlling usage. Hospital visitors expect fast, uninterrupted access, while operations demand constant use of bandwidth. Network and device isolation create separate WiFi networks – one for guests and one for hospital use.

These challenges have simple solutions that are already in use. A smart WiFi platform is perfect for a hospital’s WiFi security as it helps prevent WiFi users from seeing other devices. Finding devices that are using the same WiFi signal is one way a hacker can steal information. WiFi helps put a stop to that because it prevents WiFi users from fining other devices despite being on the same network.

Now, imagine the possibilities. Data shared instantly across the hospital. No matter which room a patient moved to — Registration, OR, Recovery — their data would move with them. Doctors and staff could access patient records at the touch of a button. And imagine the patient experience. What if you could order room service from a tablet in your room, or even better, straight from your WiFi-enabled phone? You could signal a nurse, complete paperwork, explore content, and even ask your doctor questions.

Connected WiFi Communities

WiFi is evolving from a luxury into a necessity. It’s no stretch of the imagination to assume it will soon be viewed as a public utility. Something that helps make communities smarter. There are communities around the country (and around the world) already working toward this goal. While these offer free WiFi at multiple spots around town, having a WiFi network that covers the entire community is still a work in progress.

The implications are profound. A connected city could be more secure, respond faster to a natural disaster or other emergencies. Traffic patterns could be tracked through presence analytics, so cities could plan safer pedestrian routes, traffic lights, etc. Imagine being able to stay connected to your city’s WiFi no matter where you are at. With a city-wide WiFi connection, the technological conveniences are endless. 

Connected communities are also important for brick-and-mortar businesses of all shapes and sizes. With city-wide WiFi, municipalities have a unique tool to advertise local businesses and encourage both locals and tourists to shop within the immediate local area. A connected community is crucial to bridging the gap that is present between local businesses and potential shoppers.

Wireless for All

The last hurdle is wireless access. By connecting wireless networks from one community to another — state to state, country to country — we could blanket the world in a WiFi signal. Imagine what this could deliver to education systems in isolated, rural parts of the world? And beyond. Ideas with equal access to WiFi could mean more ideas, new ideas, and specifically more ideas from underrepresented populations. Who knows? A little girl in Motuo, Tibet might be dreaming up an even better alternative to 5G.  The only limit to WiFi is us. We have to start thinking, “What can WiFi do for me? How could WiFi solve this problem?”

Are you ready to use the smartest version of WiFi that is out there? With GoZone WiFi’s Smart WiFi Solutions, venues from coffee shops to medical campuses can access to intelligent data and secure WiFi. Help create safer, simpler and more efficient WiFi for all.  Contact us today to learn more.

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Custom Splash Page Builder

A custom splash page helps give a captive portal the branded look it needs to stand out from the crowd and give guests the peace of mind they’re accessing the network associated with the venue they’re visiting.

WiFi Payments and Vouchers

Offer premium guest WiFi access and promote WiFi upgrades with comprehensive payment and voucher modules. Payments can be used to offer guests varying speeds of WiFi access, while vouchers are great for venues that want to utilize a captive portal that also requires a voucher code for WiFi access.
WiFi payments and vouchers

Guest Plans

Venues can now offer multiple levels of guest WiFi access with our Guest Plan feature. Guest Plans are defined by specific upload and download speeds and session time limits. Brick-and-mortar businesses can offer guest WiFi access and promote WiFi upgrades with our new payment and voucher modules.

Versatile Form Builder

Create and display custom guest surveys on any splash page of your guest flow. Collect feedback and gather additional data points to create smarter marketing.

Enhanced Guest Flow

Guest flow gives venues complete control over the guest WiFi experience. Guest flows help keep a visually pleasing captive portal experience by preventing clutter of multiple marketing assets. Keep it simple, or turn your WiFi into a digital billboard.
WiFi splash page with survey social login

Integrated Ad Spaces

Ad Space Integrations is a powerful feature for venues who want to promote products, deals and specials, online shopping, loyalty programs and other signups, or third-party advertisers all on a pre-authenticated Splash Page.

Increase impressions and clicks for advertising opportunities by showcasing AdSpaces before requiring a guest to connect to WiFi.

Have an app that needs more downloads? The URL redirect function will navigate guests to the app store specific to their device as soon as they click on the advertisement/call-to-action button.

No more will guests have to wait to connect to WiFi to reach interactive ads. Ad Space Integrations takes Ads4WiFi smart advertising tools and places it our smart marketing environment powered by Marketing4WiFi.

Hotspot Scheduler

Determine the specific days and times that WiFi is available to guests. Hotspot Scheduler offers smarter WiFi control by allowing venues to run their guest WiFi during business hours.