Monday, December 21, 2009

Mesh Billing Solution for Open-Mesh Routers

We are now supporting Mesh Networks, using Open-Mesh.

Open-Mesh creates ultra low-cost zero-config, plug & play wireless mesh network solutions. It is open source and free.

What is "Mesh Network"?

Mesh networking is a type of networking wherein each node in the network may act as an independent router, regardless of whether it is connected to another network or not. It allows for continuous connections and reconfiguration around broken or blocked paths by “hopping” from node to node until the destination is reached.

For more information you can read Mesh Networking Wikipedia entry.

To configure mesh billing using HotspotSystem.com, you only need to choose HotspotSystem as your radius config and tweak some settings. For complete instructions, please visit the Open-Mesh Billing Setup page!

NOTE: If you want to use Mesh-Networking for one or more locations, you need to use a default Skin!

Friday, November 20, 2009

New Skin Released for Hotels


If you operate a Hotspot in a Hotel or Apartment, you can use our new Hotel Skin.

Click here to view all the available Skins.

Full NZD support

NOTE: We are continuously updating this article in our Knowledgebase.

NZD is now fully supported. Wi-Fi Hotspot Operators from New Zealand can accept payments in NZD and will be paid out in NZD without currency exchange conversions.

So as of today the following currencies are fully supported with direct credit card payments and PayPal:

USD - U.S. Dollar
EUR - Euro
GBP - British Pound
AUD - Australian Dollar
NZD - New Zealand Dollar
SEK - Swedish Krone
HUF - Hungarian Forints

Operators using these currencies can accept payments using RBS Worldpay and PayPal in these currencies and will be paid out in the same currency.

Also, the following currencies are available for direct credit card transactions and/or PayPal:

BRL : Brazilian Real **
BWP - Botswana Pula **
CAD - Canadian Dollar
CHF - Swiss Franc
CZK - Czech Koruna *
DKK - Danish Krone *
HKD - Hong Kong Dollar *
HRK - Croatian Kuna **
IDR - Indonesian Rupiah **
ILS - Israeli New Shekel *
JPY - Japan Yen *
MYR - Malaysian Ringgit **
MXN - Mexican Peso *
NOK - Norwegian Krone
NZD - New Zealand Dollar
PHP : Philippine Peso *
PLN - Polish Zloty *
SGD - Singapore Dollar *
THB - Thai Baht
TWD : New Taiwan Dollar *
ZAR - South African Rands **

*Customers can only pay via PayPal only (they can also use their credit cards via PayPal), direct credit card payments are only available after purchasing the additional currency
**PayPal is not available for this currency, but users can pay by credit cards directly for payments

Please note that while you're able to accept payment in different currencies, direct credit card payments via RBS WorldPay will be paid out in U.S. dollars (except for EUR, GBP, AUD, NZD, HUF and SEK which are paid out in their native currency). Currency conversion is done by RBS Worldpay using their daily exchange rates.

The following additional currencies are available to use with RBS WorldPay by request:

AED : United Arab Emirates Dirham
ANG : Netherlands Antilles Guilder
AOK : Angolan New Kwanza
ARS : Argentine Peso
AWG : Aruban Guilder
AZM : Azerbaijanian Manat
BBD : Barbados Dollar
BDT : Bangladesh Taka
BGN : Bulgarian Lev
BHD : Bahraini Dinar
BMD : Bermudian Dollar
BND : Brunei Dollar
BOB : Bolivian Boliviano
BSD : Bahamian Dollar
BZD : Belize Dollar
CLP : Chilean Peso
CNY : Chinese Yuan Renminbi
COP : Colombian Peso
CRC : Costa Rican Colon
CYP : Cyprus Pound
CZK : Czech Koruna
DKK : Danish Krone
DOP : Dominican Peso
DZD : Algerian Dinar
ECS : Ecuador Sucre
EEK : Estonian Kroon
EGP : Egyptian Pound
ERN : Eritrean Nafka
ETB : Ethiopian Birr
GIP : Gibraltar Pound
GNF : Guinea Franc
GTQ : Guatemalan Quetzal
GYD : Guyana Dollar
HKD : Hong Kong Dollar
HNL : Honduran Lempira
ILS : Israeli Shekel
INR : Indian Rupee
IQD : Iraqi Dinar
IRR : Iranian Rial
ISK : Iceland Krona
JMD : Jamaican Dollar
JOD : Jordanian Dinar
JPY : Japanese Yen
KES : Kenyan Shilling
KRW : South Korean Won
KWD : Kuwaiti Dinar
KYD : Cayman Islands Dollar
KZT : Kazakhstan Tenge
LBP : Lebanese Pound
LKR : Sri Lanka Rupee
LSL : Lesotho Loti (Maloti)
LTL : Lithuanian Litas
LVL : Latvian Lats
LYD : Libyan Dinar
MAD : Moroccon Dirham
MGF : Malagasy Franc
MKD : Macedonian (FYR) Denar
MTL : Maltese Lira
MUR : Mauritius Rupee
MVR : Maldives Rufiyaa
MWK : Malawi Kwacha
MXN : Mexico Peso
NAD : Namibian Dollar
NGN : Nigerian Naira
NIO : Nicaraguan Cordoba Oro
NPR : Nepalese Rupee
OMR : Omani Rial
PAB : Panamanian Balboa
PEN : Peruvian Nuevo Sol
PHP : Philippine Peso
PKR : Pakistan Rupee
PLN : Polish New Zloty
PYG : Paraguayan Guarani
QAR : Qatari Rial
ROL : Romanian Leu
RON : New Romanian Lei
RUB : Russian Ruble
SAR : Saudi Riyal
SCR : Seychelles Rupee
SDP : Sudanese Pound
SGD : Singapore Dollar
SIT : Slovenian Tolar
SKK : Slovak Koruna
SLL : Sierra Leone Leone
SRG : Suriname Guilder
SVC : El Salvador Colon
SYP : Syrian Pound
SZL : Swaziland Lilangeni
TND : Tunisian Dinar
TRY : New Turkish Lira
TTD : Trinidad and Tobago Dollar
TWD : New Taiwan Dollars
TZS : Tanzanian Shilling
UAH : Ukrainian Hryvnia
UYU : Uruguayan Peso
VEB : Venezuela Bolivar
VND : Viet Nam Dong
XAF : CFA Franc BEAC
XCD : East Caribbean Dollar
XOF : CFA Franc BCEAO
YER : Yemeni Rial
YUM : Yugoslavian New Dinar
ZMK : Zambian Kwacha
ZWD : Zimbabwe Dollar

Please note the following:
- Some of the above currencies may no longer be avaialble.
- Each additional acquistion currency has a one time setup fee of 50 USD.

If you'd like to accept payments in a currency that is listed above, then contact us.

Friday, October 16, 2009

HotspotWRT 1.2 Hotspot Firmware Released

We have released HotspotWRT 1.2 Today.

Additions/Improvements/Fixes in this release:

- Based on CoovaChilli version 1.0.11
- Fixed Stability Issues
- Better hotspot startup times: you only have to wait about 2 minutes after the boot process to have your hotspot up and running
- Ability to reset the firmware to Factory Defaults under Status > System

You can find the download links in the Install Guide.

Friday, October 2, 2009

New Skins: Transparent and Basic

We are happy to introduce 2 more Skins: Transparent and Basic.

You can easily use Transparent Skin with your own background to give a branded customer experience. The steps can be found here.

Basic Skin has a basic black and white layout but it's easier to customize further than the other coloured Skins.

You can view the full Skin Gallery here: http://www.hotspotsystem.com/customer/skinpreview/

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Hotspot Firmware Comparison

We have released a new firmware recently, called 'HotspotWRT'.

The firmware is more stable compared to DD-WRT, so if you have lots of users, consider switching to it. Firmware is based on OpenWRT/White Russian/CoovaAP.

You can find out whether your router is supported on this page. (Status must be "Supported")

Here's the HotspotWRT Installation Guide.

We have also made a hotspot firmware comparison table.

'HOTSPOTWRT' Unique features:

- Very easy installation, you need to enter your operator username and location ID into the firmware and you are done

- Front Led Feedback of Current Condition of Hotspot (Yellow=Hotspot is running, White=Hotspot is not running, but internet is working, No light=No internet)

Unique features over DD-WRT:

- Local MAC Address Authentication (in DD-WRT there is only a radius based mac authentication for hotspots which we don't support)

- Add Whole Subdomains to the Allowed Domain List (*.domain.com)

- Add/Delete Netmask to the Allowed List

- Add/Delete Allowed IP:Port to the Allowed List


IMPORTANT NOTE: THE FIRMWARE DOESN'T SUPPORT MULTIPLE SSID's SO DON'T UPGRADE IF YOU USE THIS FUNCTION.

Don't hesitate to ask us about the new firmware via the Help Desk.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

HotspotSystem.com Releases New Firmware for Wi-Fi Routers

BUDAPEST, HUNGARY--(Marketwire - Aug. 25, 2009) - Now all places where there is a need for Wi-Fi - whether it be hotels, campgrounds or cafes around the world - can benefit from a new hotspot firmware, whether they want to allow free internet access to their guests or charge money for the service.

With "HotspotWRT", a new firmware by HotspotSystem.com, people can have their own hotspot up and running within a few minutes. No need to buy expensive hardware, no additional computers required - the system can run on low-cost routers, like Linksys WRT54GL.

"Wi-Fi access is now a must have service that busy locations need to provide." said Oliver Faludi, Managing Director of HotspotSystem.com. "Even if they would like to provide the internet for free, they still need a Wi-Fi management software allowing them to control their users, especially in EU countries where the law requires a register of those customers using public internet."

Using the "HotspotWRT" Firmware and the services of HotspotSystem.com, operators can give unique vouchers to their customers which allows them to use the internet for a limited time. They can also request that users register before they are able to use the service. It is also possible to charge a fee for access, using the built-in revenue stream which comes with the service. Operators can create access packages and create their own pricing using their local currency.

"Since people might not have enough technical knowledge to setup a hotspot service, they need a system which is very easy to set up. They can buy the equipment for themselves, then register on our website. After that, installation only takes about 10 minutes." Oliver Faludi says. "Big companies such as Boingo stopped their "Hotspot In a Box" service for smaller operators, but there is still a big demand. We receive 10-20 registrations daily from all around the world."

Additionally, the company offers a White Label solution for local IT companies, allowing them to sell the system on using their own branding. Hotspot System then provide installation and support for their local partners and each company takes a split of the revenue.

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

New Skin Color Options

We have released new skin colors to our Generic Skin. You can change the skin of your hotspot splash page in the Control Center by clicking Manage > Locations, then click on hotspot name, then Modify Hotspot Data > Splash Page settings. You will find the Skin selector there. More specific skin options will be available soon, for example for cafes, hotels, campgrounds, etc. so stay tuned.

See skin previews here: http://www.hotspotsystem.com/customer/skinpreview/

Monday, August 10, 2009

How to continue your Boingo Hotspot In a Box Service?

If you are looking for Boingo's Hotspot In a Box solution, don't look further. Boingo has stopped this service recently, but we can offer a perfect alternative.

It has came to our attention that Boingo stopped offering their Hotspot In a Box service to businesses recently.

In 2004 Boingo was one of the first companies who offered a service to small businesses which enabled them to create a Wi-Fi hotspot service.

Now hundreds (or thousands?) of them left without the service, the question is what they can do now?

The answer: continue the service with HotSpotSystem.com.

HotSpotSystem.com service can also run perfectly on several routers, including Linksys WRT54GL, Mikrotik, Ubiquity or others, so they can offer the same service (with added benefits like creating their own pricing, using their own currency, and a lot more).

Click here to find out how to create a pay-per-use hotspot or a free hotspot.

To order a Hotspot In a Box, an all-in-one unit, pre-flashed with hotspot software, you need to create an account first and order the Hotspot In a Box package from the Wi-FI shop, within the Control Center.

Thursday, July 23, 2009

DD-WRT v24 SP1 httpd vulnerability

As reported at www.miw0rm.com there is a vulnerability in the http-server for the DD-WRT management GUI that can be used for execution of an exploit to gain control over the router.

By default, if you have used our DD-WRT install guide, followed those steps only, and didn't enable the remote web gui management in the router, your router is safe.

BUT if you have enabled the remote web gui management in the Administration tab AND your router is connected directly to the internet (is not behind another router, but is connecting to the ADSL modem directly with an ADSL username or password for example), your router is vulnerable and you should do one of the following to make your router safe:

- You can turn off the remote web gui management under the Administration tab in the router's admin panel if you don't need this function

- You can update your firewall settings through the Administration > Commands tab. Press EDIT in the firewall section and paste these commands into the box:

insmod ipt_webstr
ln -s /dev/null /tmp/exec.tmp
iptables -D INPUT -p tcp -m tcp -m webstr --url cgi-bin -j REJECT --reject-with tcp-reset
iptables -I INPUT -p tcp -m tcp -m webstr --url cgi-bin -j REJECT --reject-with tcp-reset

then press "Save Firewall" and reboot your router.

If you do this, be sure that if you have HTTPS Management turned ON under > Administration > Management > Remote Access, then turn it off.

- You can replace the DD-WRT firmware to a newer one (latest is v24 preSP2 build 12533), you can download it from dd-wrt.com using the router search. However, this firmware is a beta firmware, so use it at your own risk. The setup command from the Control Center should work, but be sure to reset the firmware to factory defaults before using the command.

- You can change your firmware to CoovaAP. Only do this if you don't use special functions in DD-WRT like the secondary SSID function.

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Featured Client: Beach Road Hotel, Cambodia

From time to time we introduce some of our clients. This month's featured client is Beach Road Hotel in Cambodia with white sand beaches, beautiful nature and great nightlife. Here're some photos of the location:





They have also printed "Wi-FI Internet Hotspot by HotspotSystem.com" to a large banner:






About the installation:

Buffalo is controlling everything, it's in the office, so cat5 is going to
bar/reception area where's small d-link ap and other one goes to big antenna where's big d-link ap and big antenna, we also plan to put couple of ap-s to the back of the hotel area, so everything is filled, because big antenna makes pretty much black hole where it is, but in the mean time it's working well around the hotel, like 500m from hotel is pretty good reception, so all the ap-s have same SSID called BEACH ROAD HOTEL.







And what do they say about our system?

HotSpotSystem Rocks!
We tried different services before, bought also separate pc system for controlling the internet, but nothing really worked better than hotspotsystem, as long you have internet for sale you're on board...


Thanks Tarmo for the photos, detailed explanation and testimonal.

Would you like to see your location in our blog? Just send your pictures with a short explanation to us!

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Important Service Changes

- FROM 15th June 2009, Contracting Company information will be MANDATORY. If you haven't filled out the company information in your Profile, please do so by logging in to the Control Center and modify your Profile. If you don't have a company, you can put your own name and address there so you can run the service as an individual. IMPORTANT: You won't be able to accept payments in your Hotspot until you fill out that information.

Also, the new Generic / Green Skin will be applied to all locations except if you send a ticket and asking us to leave your existing Skin. You will also be able to change back the Skin after we change it.

- FROM 1st of July 2009, VAT will be 25% instead of 20%. If your company resides in the EU and don't have a valid VAT number, we will add 25% to our commission from the 1st of July 2009.

- BROWSER ISSUES: We have had some problems with the Control Center with IE8, this issue has been resolved. We also have problems with Safari4 Beta, please upgrade it to FINAL version and clear all cookies if you experience problems.

Monday, June 8, 2009

New Skin is available for Splash Pages

A new skin has been released in the Control Center which can be used for Wi-Fi Start (Splash) pages.

The new Skin is called "Generic / Green", it's "Generic" because it is suitable for all kind of locations, and it's "Green" because there are green circles in the package selection pages.

What's new in this Skin?

- Much cleaner and fresh design which replaces the old one that we've been using for 3 years
- More informal: Bandwidth and traffic limits are clearly visible
- Advanced data verification with ajax: Username and other registration data are checked in real-time against our database which helps users to fill out the registration form more easily
- Easily readable on Wi-Fi phones
- Works perfectly with IE, Firefox, Safari

IMPORTANT: We will change the Skin automatically at the end of the week for ALL OPERATORS who are using the default skin now. If you wish to stay with the old design, please send us a Help Desk ticket.

For those who are using a customized skin, there will be no changes (you can change to the new design manually).

You can change the Skin in the Control Center if you Modify Hotspot Location / Splash Page Settings.

We're planning more Skin releases in the future, more color options will be coming for the Generic Skin, and we will release type-specific Skins too for hotels, campgrounds, etc.

Check out how the new Skin looks like here!

The new Skin release is the second step of a 3 steps process of our entire site redesign.

Monday, May 18, 2009

Control Center has been released

We released the Control Center today which replaces our current Operator Area.

Control Center is part of a full redesign process which we will release in 3 stages.

The first one is the Control Center, then we will replace our main information pages, and there will also be a new page for Wi-Fi users with the same layout.

In the new Control Center, there is a well-structured menu in the top so you can now find functions more easily.

We have also added support for Google Maps, so you can now view your locations on a map.

Personal and Payout info menu is now called 'Profile'.

Please log in and try out the New Control Center, get familiar with it. If you need help, you can download the Control Center Guide which has also updated.

Hope you will like the new layout, more changes coming soon...

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

HotSpotSystem.com is on Twitter

We are now posting regularly on Twitter. You can receive instant status updates, tips, product deals, etc.

Follow us at http://www.twitter.com/hotspotsystem

Twitter is a unique approach to communication and networking based on the simple concept of status. What are you doing? What are your friends doing—right now? With Twitter, you may answer this question over SMS or the Web and the responses are shared between contacts.

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Optional Voucher Registration

From now on you can force users with Pre-Paid or Free Vouchers to register before they can activate the voucher. This is required by the law in some countries, but you can also use it to collect personal information from your users, like e-mail addresses. Users personal data can easily be exported in the Transactions menu.

So here's how it works:

You can enable this option on a per location basis, just click on Hotspot Locations > Select Location > Manage Location > Require Registration of Vouchers in the Start Page Settings section.

After then the following will happen:

Users enter the code as before on the Hotspot Start page. If the code was valid, the same registration form appears as if it was a credit card transaction. Users have to choose a username, password, and fill out other registration details, like name, postal address, email address, etc. After users fill out the form, the activation link will be shown, along with the card details (expiration, bandwidth, etc).

The user registration is a system-wide process, so if the same user enters an other voucher code on the Hotspot Start page, then he or she can use the username and password which he/she has registered previously.

IMPORTANT: Users have to use their username and password instead of the voucher code when they log in to the Hotspot!

Optional Access to Vouchers For Secondary Operators


You can now grant access to Secondary Operators so they can access Vouchers for the location you specify. This means that they can print the Vouchers for themselves.
Additionally, you can grant/prohibit access to the Modify Vouchers' Layout page to allow/prevent to modify the Voucher prints.

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Monthly Recurring Subscriptions

From now on you can create a monthly custom package with recurring payments.

This is very useful if you have long-term paying customers.

All you have to do is to select the "Recurring payment" option on the Create or Modify Custom Package page. Then your splash page will change automatically and the package will show "recurring payment" text so your users can easily identify that the amount will be charged in every month.

Your users can cancel the subscription any time on Worldpay's or PayPal's website, or we can cancel it for them too. Our refund policy says:

"If you have paid for HotSpot access through the system or paid for a service, you have right to cancel within seven days of the purchase in case you haven't used the service that you've paid for. If you cancel your order, you will have your payment returned."

So if a customer forgets to cancel the subscription, he/she can cancel it within 7 days and we will refund the amount of the last charge, if he/she didn't use the account during that period.

One more thing: credit card companies don't charge recurring users on an exact time when 1 month expires. So to ensure continuos hotspot access, users will get 1 month access until the end of the day. For example if they buy the monthly access at 13:00 PM on 26th March, 2009, they will have access until 23:59PM on 26th April, 2009. Their card will be charged at some time on 26th, April 2009 which will add an other month for them.

Recurring option is available only with monthly packages.

Friday, March 6, 2009

HotSpotSystem.com Presents: Skins

We have added a new level of customization for those who would like to modify their Hotspot Start pages further, called Skins.

You can now create your own Skins, insert HTML codes into templates, changing graphics etc.

You can even create different Skins for different locations.

For more information, please download the Skin Guide: http://www.hotspotsystem.com/deskpro/attachment_files.php?id=17

Please also visit our Knowledgbase articles at: http://www.hotspotsystem.com/deskpro/kb_cat.php?id=11

IMPORTANT: YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO REMOVE THE HOTSPOTSYSTEM.COM COPYRIGHTS FROM THE TEMPLATES. If you would like to use your own brand, you need to purchase the White Label option.

The Skin management can be found in the Operator Area, where the new Skins menu will appear.

Monday, March 2, 2009

Custom Login, Logout URL support for Custom APs/Routers

By default, our system is using http://192.168.182.1:3990/prelogin as a user login URL which is supported by DD-WRT/Chillispot/Coova.

Now you can customize this link if you're using an other device which is using an other URL format to call the login/logout pages.

You can find this option in the Operator Area > Hotspot Locations > click on location > Modify Hotspot Data > Start Page Settings section.

Support for CoovaAP

CoovaAP is an OpenWRT-based firmware designed especially for HotSpots. It comes with the CoovaChilli access controller built-in. CoovaChilli is an improved version of Chillispot which is included in DD-WRT.

Now you can use the CoovaAP firmware with the built-in CoovaChilli. The installation guide can be found on this page:

http://www.hotspotsystem.com/en/hotspot/install_guide_coova.html


For more information on CoovaAP, you can visit: http://coova.org/wiki/index.php/CoovaAP
For CoovaChilli, you can visit: http://coova.org/wiki/index.php/CoovaChilli

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Managing Hotspot Users

Probably you've already noticed this new feature in the operator area.

You can now do the following with your user accounts, including the master accounts:

- Suspend/Activate (only within the original expiration period)
- Change password
- Modify download/Upload/Traffic limits

You can use the User Search to find users, or you can click on the Username in the transaction list.

Support for Mikrotik Routers

Here you can find an Installation Guide for Mikrotik routers using Mikrotik OS.

The setup procedure is not as easy with DD-WRT, but you can do it easily if you've ever worked with Mikrotik routers.

Thursday, January 8, 2009

New Features in Payout History

If you move your mouse over the status column, you can view a detailed message about your payouts. You can also view your payout in your payout currency if it's different from the currency you charge.

Bookkeeping of your Hotspot Income

It's a new year so it's time to close your last year's accounting.

Probably most of you followed local bookkeeping and tax rules but we thought we send you some basic information regarding this. However credit card transactions happen automaticaly, you should book these transactions and should pay your tax according to your country's rules.

You can view all your transactions on your operator page, you can export them too so you can easily keep track of your sales anytime.
Your gross hotspot income should be booked before deducting any charges.

Let's see an example: someone bought an access for 4.90, you should book this item in your books with the value of 4.90. Value added tax (VAT) is
different in every country so for example if VAT exists in your country and let's say it's 10% you should book 0.45 as VAT and 4.45 as net income.
This is not the amount that you receive because we deduct 30% transaction fee so you should also book the 30% transaction fee as an expense.

So in a country where the vat is 10% and you sold an access for 4.90:

User paid: 4.90
Net income: 4.45
VAT: 0.45 (10% of net value)
Expense: 1.47 (hotspotsystem fee)

You will receive the gross amount (sale value minus fee) from us, VAT and profit tax should be paid by you to your local tax authority.
In case of prepaid card sale you should follow these same rules however your expense is the cost of the prepaid vouchers.
For those who need official invoice from our company to book your expenses invoices can be downloaded from your operator admin page under payouts menu.

Master account changes

From the 1st of February, 2009, simultaneous access from multiple computers using 1 master account will be blocked.

If you gave the master account information to multiple users, you'd need multiple master accounts for them.

You can have 2 master accounts per location for free. If you need more, you need to pay a small fee.