The world of Wi-Fi service is only becoming more lucrative when talking about the business side. One need look no further than the news that Amazon.com (News - Alert) appears to be looking to dip its toe in, to know just how lucrative. Companies that can offer up new and different services when it comes to Wi-Fi are popping up all the time in disparate businesses from your local coffee shop all the way to NFL stadiums.
Amazon has been running tests that will apparently be giving Kindle users their own, direct Internet connectivity, according to Bloomberg (News - Alert). To use this particular Wi-Fi solution, it appears that the retailing giant will be teaming up with satellite services provider Globalstar. This Wi-Fi network, working through the satellite service provider, could be a definite upgrade over what they are currently offering. The service that is currently made available to certain Kindle users is called Whispernet, and while it does offer the ability to download books at a decent rate, there isn’t a whole lot else you can do using the Kindle.
This new Wi-Fi network is purported to be an 802.11-based 2.4 GHz service that's compatible with existing 802.11-compliant Wi-Fi devices. This network runs on Terrestrial Low Power Service (TLPS). The TLPS that Globalstar (News - Alert) has been working on has not only tested faster than what Whispernet is able to offer, but there have been reports that it runs faster than other wireless services.
The Bloomberg report speculates that Amazon might eventually offer up this Wi-Fi service the same way that other cellular carriers offer their plans. Some believe this could also be the first step in launching an Amazon phone, but most industry analysts believe it’s more likely simply a way to boost their customer base among Internet users.
Edited by Rory J. Thompson