WLAN

WLAN is a mobile data service with extremely high speeds up to 100 times faster than the speed achieved by ISDN. It finds application with local radio networks, so-called hotspots.
Mobile phone operators introduced the WLAN service in March 2003 together with a number of established partners who set up the professional equipment and technology necessary for the problem-free running of the hotspots.
O2 partners set up WLAN networks at locations with a concentration of business people, e.g. hotels, airports, conference centres or trade fairs. O2 WLAN users within the local radio range are thus able to have a quick, cable-free access to the internet, intranet or email account.

Easy billing
Since July 2004 O2 has also, together with the partners GlobalAirNet AG and bruNET, offered customers of other network operators WLAN billing via mobile phone charges. For example, debitel customers are able to use this offer in some of the O2 hotspots of the O2 co-operation partner GlobalAirNet AG. The product portal "Hotspot-Finder" is used to search for hotspots.

Thanks to high speeds in the Mbit/s region, customers using the O2 WLAN customers are online quickly and can make uncomplicated contact to their business partners. In the area covered by an O2 WLAN hotspot or a hotspot from one of its partners, the WLAN card automatically recognises the local radio network. As soon as you open your browser, it automatically opens the welcome page of the respective hotspot. Now all you have to do select the WLAN operator by clicking on the O2 logo. Login and payment are just as easy – for O2 customers and non-customers.

Ease of use
After logging in to the WLAN service, O2 customers with a contract can stay online as long as they wish. During the login procedure they receive a password by text message on their mobile phone valid for the one-off use of the service. The frequent change of passwords prevents unauthorised people from accessing their access data and later using it for themselves. Invoicing is made simply through the monthly mobile phone bill.

O2 customers without a contract, customers of other network operators and foreign travellers can buy vouchers for a 30 or 120 minute period of use either in an O2 shop or online per credit card. Prepaid cards are password protected. The password is identified the first time by rubbing the card. WLAN users who pay by credit card must enter their credit card details every time they log in and they then receive an access code by text message on their mobile phone valid for the one-off use of the service.

The only condition for use of the WLAN offer from O2 for customers with a contract is a WLAN compatible device. This may be notebook with Intel® Centrino (TM) mobile technology or a PDA with integrated WLAN card designed for use with the 802.11b standard used in Germany. Examples of an internet browser are Microsoft's Internet Explorer or the Netscape Navigator which are usually installed in notebooks or PDAs.

How to find hotspots
As public WLAN networks are not able to offer blanket coverage and are not indicated by signs, we have set up a "Hotspot finder" to assist you in the search for O2 hotspots. You just send your post code of your location or the name of the town where you need internet access via a free text message with the code word "WLAN" to the abbreviated address F-I-N-D (3463). A short time afterwards you will receive a text message with a list of all hotspots in the search area. The received text message costs 19 euro cents. Alternatively, you can use the hotspot finder via the O2 Active Portal under "news/info" > "near to you" >"WLAN hotspots" by mobile phone. In this case the mobile phone network automatically detects your location and transmits all public WLAN networks in the local area. The hotspot finder is also available at our product portal in the internet.