Connected Internet has an interesting post about using mesh networks based on a product from Meraki to build your own wireless Internet Service Provider – a great idea for a small business – while I doubt you want to start trying to become your street’s Internet Service Provider (ISP) if you run a coffee shop, cafe, tearoom, serviced offices or even a hotel (or bed and breakfast) it might be a great opportunity of upping your average take per customer.

The idea is that you provide wireless Internet access and when a customer tries to connect to your Wireless network they are presented with a logo screen and asked to pay for access (there’s your revenue). You could also provide them with a portal that include advertising or affiliate offers as a way of further monetizing the network.

It’s not a new business idea – a couple of years ago the idea was pitched on Dragons Den, in that case the entrepreneur was looking for investment in his business that was going to supply Wireless Internet access in harbours targeting the boating community.

With the advent of Wifi enabled mobile phones and the predicted increase in laptop use there are going to be more and more people using wifi hotspots and that in turn means there’s going to be more and more opportunities to build a business around them.

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