Method and apparatus for virtual Wi-Fi service with authentication and accounting control

An apparatus for providing virtual Wi-Fi service with accounting and authentication control via a virtual Wi-Fi access network, the apparatus comprising:

• a virtual Wi-Fi access server operative to:
• connect a subscriber to the virtual Wi-Fi access network, wherein the virtual Wi-Fi access network comprises a plurality of individual Wi-Fi access points in communication with the virtual Wi-Fi access server and the plurality of individual Wi-Fi access points comprises a combination of enterprise owned access points and private owned access points, at least one individual Wi-Fi access point having at least one channel or resource to share with virtual Wi-Fi access network subscribers not having a direct relationship with the individual Wi-Fi access point, wherein the plurality of individual Wi-Fi access points is associated with a plurality of service providers, and wherein the virtual Wi-Fi access server is operative to coordinate shared Wi-Fi service among the individual Wi-Fi access points;
• prompt the subscriber for an account ID and password;
• perform subscriber authentication;
• establish a Wi-Fi session for the subscriber in the virtual Wi-Fi access network and apply an accounting function to the Wi-Fi session;
• and
• receive an indication that the subscriber has exited from the virtual Wi-Fi network;
• and
• a database for storing data related to virtual Wi-Fi access service in communication with the virtual Wi-Fi access service,
• wherein each individual Wi-Fi access point is able to send an indication with a radio signal that indicates whether the Wi-Fi access point is able to share spare channels or resources.

A method of providing virtual Wi-Fi service with accounting and authentication control via a virtual Wi-Fi access network, the method comprising:

• receiving an indication from at least one individual Wi-Fi access point at a virtual Wi-Fi access server that the at least one Wi-Fi access point has at least one channel or resource to share with third party users not having a direct relationship with the individual Wi-Fi access point, wherein the virtual Wi-Fi access network comprises a plurality of individual Wi-Fi access points in communication with at least one virtual Wi-Fi access server and the plurality of individual Wi-Fi access points comprises a combination of enterprise owned access points and private owned access points, wherein the plurality of individual Wi-Fi access points is associated with a plurality of service providers, and wherein the virtual Wi-Fi access server is operative to coordinate shared Wi-Fi service among the individual Wi-Fi access points;
• connecting a subscriber to the virtual Wi-Fi access network;
• prompting the subscriber for an account ID and password;
• authenticating the subscriber via the virtual Wi-Fi access server;
• establishing a Wi-Fi session in the virtual Wi-Fi access network for the authenticated subscriber and applying an accounting function to the Wi-Fi session;
• and
• ending the accounting function and notifying the virtual Wi-Fi access server after the subscriber exits from the virtual Wi-Fi network.