System for on-demand access to local area networks

摘要

A roaming company makes payments to an aggregator of independent WLAN operators in exchange for providing Internet access services to subscribers of the roaming company. Independent WLAN operator accounts are maintained at the aggregation company.

主权项

1. A method, comprising:
monitoring, by a processing device operatively coupled to a plurality of Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) operators through a corresponding Internet Service Provider (ISP) backhaul line, service metrics associated with network services provided by each of the plurality of WLAN operators coupled with at least one access point that is available to provide a user terminal with access to a network; transmitting, by the processing device, the service metrics to the user terminal; receiving, by the processing device, a selection of a WLAN operator responsive to transmitting the service metrics; and authorizing, by the processing device, the user terminal to access the network via an access point associated with the selected WLAN operator.