Wireless Retail launches subsidiary, FootLoose Networks, to develop a carrier-shared national Wi-Fi network - New Networks/Upgrades - telecommunications equipment industry - Brief Article

Mobile Internet, The, Jan, 2003

Wireless Retail Inc. announces the launch of a new subsidiary; FootLoose Networks Inc., to facilitate the build-out of a carrier-agnostic, unified national network of shared Wi-Fi hotspots. Wi-Fi, another name for 802.11b, is the most popular worldwide standard for creating wireless local area networks in offices, homes and public spaces. FootLoose Networks plans to become the catalyst for cooperation among the nation's wireless carriers by providing a straightforward, cost-sharing model for the build-out and ongoing maintenance of a single aggregated national network FootLoose will offer enterprise customers and consumers alike multiple service and payment options, including subscribing for service through their own wireless carrier's data plans and including such charges on their current wireless phone bill.

Following Wireless Retail's successful aggregator business model in the national retail arena, FootLoose Networks will aggregate multiple hotspot venue partners and offer wireless carriers access to the aggregated network at a fraction of the cost of a single-carrier network FootLoose will provide "bolt-on" and carrier-specific service and payment options for carrier subscribers, as well as other tiered service plans customized for stand-alone subscribers. Participating venues will be identified with an easily recognizable icon that will place all participating carriers on a level playing field.