How it works: Captive portal

The captive portal is a mechanism to redirect the hot spot customer to a log in page (the splash page) when that customer attempts to access any Internet web site. This process applies for a wireless access point and for a router that is providing wired Ethernet to hotel rooms or to kiosks in an Internet café. When the log-in page is displayed on the customer's computer an access code can be entered. The WISP sell the access code. If credit card billing has been configured the customer can purchase access time.

The captive portal also has a disclaimer mode where no access code is required to connect to the Internet but the customer has to agree to the terms and conditions of use. The customer can click on a link to read the terms and conditions. This procedure offers legal protection to business owners who offer free hot spot access to their customers. The disclaimer mode also has a timer that determines how long customers are permitted access to the Internet: this is a feature for coffee shops that want to avoid becoming free office space.

WISP management captive portal login page (splash page)

When the customer opens a browser and tries to access his home page URL, the customer is redirected the URL of the log-in page. The log in page can be customized by the WISP or hot spot operator. The log-in page has a box to enter the access code provided by the WISP or provides a link so a code can purchased on-line with a credit card.