Billing Concepts, a leading provider of payphone clearinghouse services, introduced a new, independent public wireless LAN clearing and settlement service. The “eZ-Wi” clearinghouse and settlement service will connect the customers of ISPs with Wi-Fi venue operators, mediating compensation agreements between the parties. The service would enable ISPs to bill the customer directly for time spent on other Wi-Fi networks.
Billing Concepts said its model would benefit the entire value chain in the public Wi-Fi market: consumers would gain the ability to roam onto various Wi-Fi services using a single ISP account; ISPs would benefit from a wholesale access model at no net cost to them; and hotspot owners would gain by having a broader customer base. The “eZ-Wi” model differs from that of other Wi-Fi aggregators in that there are no branding requirements to participate, the pricing is not dictated by the aggregator, and the ISP retains control of the customer. Billing Concepts described the model as a natural extension of its telecom clearinghouse model. The service is currently in beta testing.
Grande Communications plans to use the eZ-Wi public wireless LAN clearing and settlement service, potentially benefiting on both ends of a Wi-Fi service. As an ISP, Grande Communications plans to offer its retail subscribers the ability to roam at hotspot locations. In addition, Grande Communications will be an aggregator for venue owners, enabling them to provide wireless Internet access.
http://www.billingconcepts.com
