The Hotspot 2.0 specification of the Wi-Fi Alliance differentiates between hotspot operators and hotspot service providers: A hotspot operator only operates one Wi-Fi network, while a hotspot service provider (SP) provides the connection for the user to the Internet or a cellular network. Of course, it is possible for an operator to also be an SP. However, in all other cases, a hotspot operator requires the corresponding roaming agreements with an SP or a group of multiple SPs (called a roaming consortium). Only when an operator has made these agreements are the various roaming partners' customers able to authenticate with the hotspot operator. Each service provider operates its own AAA infrastructure. A hotspot communicates this list of possible roaming partners and the name of the hotspot operator using ANQP (see functional description).
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