Gadget Metro

For those who are among the millions and millions of pilgrims in Mecca, this is some sort of welcome news. This also bodes well for those who have relatives who are in the city for the Hajj, the annual gathering of Muslims. A temporary Wi-Fi mesh network that is covering the city is ensuring that the pilgrims would be able to keep in touch and stay connected with their loved ones.

It is said that a network of about 70 meshed routers from Tropos Networks has been set up to provide free Internet connectivity, according to the company itself. Those who plan to be part of it only have to register before using it. It is widely speculated that this marks the first time a public Wi-Fi network was set in the Hajj. Saudi Arabia’s Communications and Information Technology Commission was able to procure the services of an Internet service provider, Bayanat Al-Oula, to provide the temporary network.

A wireless-management software and services company based in Stockholm, a company called Aptilo Networks, is running the network as a managed service from its offices in Malaysia.

Hajj, Wi-Fi, Bayanat Al-Oula, Tropos Networks, Aptilo Networks

[image from: seedmagazine.com]