Distributed network communication system which enables multiple network providers to use a common distributed network infrastructure

A network system, comprising:

• a network;
• a plurality of access points coupled to the network, wherein each of the plurality of access points is operable to communicate with a portable computing device, wherein each of the plurality of access points is configured to receive identification information from the portable computing device indicating a network provider of a plurality of possible network providers, wherein each of the plurality of access points includes a memory medium which stores a data structure, wherein the data structure comprises a list of identification information entries and corresponding network providers, wherein each entry indicates a respective network provider of the plurality of possible network providers;
• wherein each of the plurality of access points is operable to determine the network provider indicated in the identification information;
• wherein, in determining the network provider for the portable computing device, each of the plurality of access points is operable to access the memory medium and use the received identification information to determine the network provider;
• wherein network access is provided to the portable computing device through the indicated network provider.

A method for providing roaming features on a wireless network system, wherein the wireless network system includes a plurality of access points coupled to a network, the method comprising:

• a first access point receiving identification information from a portable computing device in a wireless manner, wherein the identification information indicates a network provider of a plurality of possible network providers, wherein said first access point includes a memory medium which stores a data structure comprising a list of identification information entries each indicating one or more network providers of the plurality of possible network providers;
• determining a network provider for the portable computing device after receiving the identification information, wherein said determining the network provider for the portable computing device includes accessing the memory medium and using the received identification information to determine the network provider;
• the first access point receiving data from the portable computing device in a wireless manner;
• providing the data received from the portable computing device to a destination based on the determined network provider.

A method for providing access to a wireless network system, wherein the wireless network system includes a plurality of access points coupled to a network, the method comprising:

• a first access point receiving identification information from a portable computing device in a wireless manner, wherein the identification information indicates a network provider of a plurality of possible network providers, wherein said first access point includes a memory medium which stores a data structure comprising a list of identification information entries each indicating one or more network providers of the plurality of possible network providers;
• determining a network provider for the portable computing device after receiving the identification information, wherein said determining the network provider for the portable computing device includes accessing the memory medium and using the received identification information to determine the network provider;
• the first access point receiving data from the portable computing device in a wireless manner;
• and
• providing network access to the portable computing device through the determined network provider.

A method for providing selective access to network resources in a distributed wireless network system, wherein the wireless network system includes a plurality of access points coupled to a network, the method comprising:

• a first access point receiving identification information from a portable computing device, wherein said first access point includes a memory medium which stores a data structure comprising a list of identification information entries indicating one or more access levels;
• determining an access level for the portable computing device after receiving the identification information, wherein said determining the access level for the portable computing device includes accessing the memory medium and using the received identification information to determine the access level;
• the first access point receiving data from the portable computing device;
• and
• providing the data received from the portable computing device to a destination based on the determined access level.

A first memory medium comprised in a wireless access point,

• wherein the first memory medium comprises program instructions for providing access to a network system;
• wherein the program instructions are executable to:
• receive information from a portable computing device in a wireless manner, wherein the information indicates a network provider of a plurality of possible network providers;
• access a second memory medium which stores a data structure comprising a list of identification information entries indicating one or more network providers of the plurality of possible network providers;
• analyze said information received from the portable computing device with said list of identification information entries to determine a network provider;
• provide network access to the portable computing device through the determined network provider.

A method for providing selective access to network resources in a distributed wireless network system, wherein the wireless network system includes a plurality of access points coupled to a network, wherein the plurality of access points are arranged at known locations in a geographic region, the method comprising:

• a first access point receiving identification information from a portable computing device, wherein said first access point includes a memory medium which stores a data structure comprising a list of identification information entries indicating one or more network providers of the plurality of possible network providers and a list of geographic locations indicating discounts;
• determining a network provider based on the identification information received from the portable computing device;
• the first access point providing geographic location information indicating a known geographic location of the portable computing device;
• determining a charge for the portable computing device to gain access to the network provider based on the determined network provider and the known geographic location of the portable computing device, wherein said determining the charge includes accessing the memory medium and using the received identification information and the known geographic location to determine the charge.

A method for providing selective access to network resources in a distributed wireless network system, wherein the wireless network system includes a plurality of access points coupled to a network, wherein the plurality of access points are arranged at known locations in a geographic region, the method comprising:

• a first access point receiving identification information from a portable computing device, wherein said first access point includes a memory medium which stores a first data structure comprising a list of identification information and a corresponding list of the plurality of possible network providers, wherein said first access point is operable to access a management information base (MIB), coupled to the wireless network, which stores a second data structure comprising a list of the plurality of possible network providers and a corresponding list of known geographic locations indicating discounts;
• the first access point providing geographic location information indicating a known geographic location of the portable computing device;
• determining a charge fee for the portable computing device to gain access to the network provider after receiving the identification information and after said providing the geographic location information, wherein said determining the charge comprises:
• accessing the memory medium to determine a network provider;
• and
• accessing the MIB, and using the determined network provider, the known geographic location, and the network provider to determine the discount;
• charging a fee for access of the portable computing device to the determined network provider.