Public Wi-Fi service provider Ozone Networks has signed a Small Cell as a Service agreement with Ericsson to provide a neutral Wi-Fi network across India. Ericsson currently offers small cell as a service with different business models to suit different environments, like connected streets, venues and enterprises. In the first stage of this project, Ozone will get 30,000 Wi-Fi access points, network management nodes and tools, along with various monetization options for the network, from Ericsson. These will include a way to offer various telecommunications operators a chance to reduce data load on their network by using the neutral Wi-Fi network to carry parts of the traffic. This deal will be a ‘connected venues’ application of Ericsson's technology as it will be used by Ozone to serve malls, shops, cafes and restaurants. As per the agreement, Ericsson will be responsible for managing the platform for a period of five years. It is not yet clear which cities and locations Ozone will target. Ozone Networks currently claims to have over 1200 Wi-Fi hotspots in the country and provides free Wi-Fi to users around those hotspots. The network has partnerships with brands like Subway, Haldiram’s, McDonald’s, Mumbai International Airport, Baskin Robbins, Gloria Jean's Coffees etc., to provide Wi-Fi connectivity in those locations, as well as to distribute advertising over its networks. Ericsson had launched Small Cell as a Service at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, earlier this year. The platform provides clients with small cell technology, plans, designs, builds and optimized networks, and…
