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CARTO > Case Studies > Case Study: CARTO for Internet Service Providers - Fon: Visualizing Millions of Data Points for Better Client Access

Case Study: CARTO for Internet Service Providers - Fon: Visualizing Millions of Data Points for Better Client Access

Technology Category

Platform as a Service (PaaS) - Data Management Platforms

Applicable Industries

Telecommunications

Applicable Functions

Sales & Marketing
Business Operation

Use Cases

Real-Time Location System (RTLS)
Supply Chain Visibility

Services

Software Design & Engineering Services
System Integration

The Challenge

Fon Wireless Ltd. (Fon) is a leading, worldwide WiFi provider that operates a system of dual access wireless networks. With more than 19 million crowdsourced hotspots, their goal is to extend WiFi around the world. Fon wanted to develop a tool to expose their access point coverage throughout the world, as well as their partner network in various countries. They needed to build an open portal to help customers and clients explore and find millions of access points that they could connect to in the Fon Community WiFi. The portal required a visualization that could be adapted at every zoom level, preserving optimum performance, and the ability to include logos and details of all of Fon’s partners. Additionally, Fon wanted to have a more appealing visualization on their corporate website that enabled partners to have their own map including their specific access points.

About The Customer

Fon Wireless Ltd. (Fon) is a leading, worldwide WiFi provider that operates a system of dual access wireless networks. With more than 19 million crowdsourced hotspots, their goal is to extend WiFi around the world. Additionally, Fon has offices in the world’s top capitals, working in partnership with leading telcos to build the the largest community WiFi network. Fon wanted to develop a tool to expose their access point coverage throughout the world, as well as their partner network in various countries. They needed to build an open portal to help customers and clients explore and find millions of access points that they could connect to in the Fon Community WiFi.

The Solution

Using CARTO, Fon built a tool that geo-represents Fon Community Access Points. The tool shows where the access point is placed, the network density in upper zoom levels, like country and continent, and each access point is customized with the partner’s brand. Additionally, a hotspot repository is provided for all access points in certain areas. This information is used in Fon’s connection manager, a Fon and CARTO collaborative application. CARTO’s easy to integrate technology allowed Fon to leverage it with its existing technologies and systems to make workflows automatic. CARTO’s real-time capabilities permit synchronization with Fon’s partners data to update access points status and locations, as well as importing or exporting their data. CARTO’s flexible APIs allows Fon and their partners to maintain a synchronized picture of available access points without having to send sensitive customer data back and forth.

Operational Impact

Fon has around 19 million hotspots throughout the world and a huge community of users who can leverage the maps for their own use.
Fon has developed other use cases. For example, when Fon launched their public WiFi in spaces such as restaurants and bars, they found that maps would be the perfect add-on for their technology, making it possible for users to find more access points they could connect to.

Quantitative Benefit