Microsense turns cafes into wi-fi hot spots
IANS[ MONDAY, JANUARY 17, 2005 09:42:10 PM ]

Microsense Ltd, a leading provider of wide area networks (WAN) to corporates, tied-up with Cafe Coffee Day on Monday to provide wi-fi (wireless fidelity) services at its chain of outlets across the country.

In the pilot phase, the Bangalore-based IT firm has set up wi-fi networks at 50 cafes in Bangalore, Mumbai, New Delhi and Chennai.

By March, Microsense will make about 100 Café Coffee Day outlets wi-fi hot spots to enable customers to access the Internet while sipping their coffee. In a phased manner, outlets in other cities will also be wi-fi enabled.

"This is the first nationwide rollout of public access hot spots in India to usher in a new trend in mobile computing. We will operate the service end-to-end," Microsense managing director Kailasanathan told reporters here, launching the service.
The wi-fi service will feature plug-and-play functionality, VPN (virtual private network) support, and "always-on" connectivity.

The service will be provided through post-paid and pre-paid access accounts supported by a central authentication and billing platform that will be developed and operated by Microsense.

A PIN (primary identification number) allows access for users from any of the cafés where the service has been enabled.

According to Cafe Coffee Day CEO Naresh Malhotra, most customers visiting the cafes are equipped with either a laptop or personal digital assistant. As wi-fi hot spots, the outlets will add visibility to the service.

"By partnering with Microsense, we are taking a leap towards seamless wi-fi ubiquity, enabling our customers stay connected. Microsense is also offering a full-service installation solution so that location owners can be up and running as wireless hot spots with minimal effort," Malhotra said.
Microsense offers expertise in WAN and Internet-related technologies and has implemented systems for many private and public corporates and educational institutions. Some of its customers are Airtel, Le Meridien hotels, Taj Group of hotels and ITC group of hotels.
As part of India's largest coffee conglomerate, the Rs.3-billion Café Coffee Day was the first to roll out the "coffee bar" concept in India with its first café in Bangalore.
Its chain of cafes serves a variety of coffees in over 50 cities across India.