Global Connections 10/23/12

Alcatel-Lucent and Dutch cable operator Ziggo are trialing a technique that could turn private homes into public Wi-Fi hot spots to provide wireless broadband access to Ziggo’s customers. The trial is using Alcatel-Lucent’s lightRadio Wi-Fi technology to give multiple Ziggo subscribers simultaneous access to high-quality wireless Internet; Ziggo customers taking part in the trial must give permission for their home modem routers to be used as a hot spot before they can access other subscribers’ hot spots. Following the successful first phase of the trial in four districts of the city of Groningen, the service will open up to 18,000 homes next month.