Under the Communications (Retention of Data) Act 2011, signed into law in February 2011, the onus is now on the provider of internet access to keep records of who was on their network for a period of not less than one year.  

 

Anyone supplying free or paid for internet access is deemed to be a Service Provider and therefore falls under the terms of the act.  Under the act Bars, Cafes, Guest houses, Hotels, Hospitals etc are deemed to be Service Prividers once they provide internet access to their customers or guests.  The act requires that Service Providers shall retain data for a period of one year to be viewed upon request by the Garda Síochána, the Permanent Defence Forces or the Revenue Commissioners.  

 

Data to be retained includes
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Ethos Technology Ltd have established a relationship with Picopoint, a European based solutions provider for Internet Service Providers, typically those providing hotspot acess over WiFi either free or paid for.  

Ethos now offer Picopoint's Gatekeeper service their reseller network.  Gatekeeper is designed to integrated with the Public Spot option on Lancom Wireless Access Points and allows Service Providers to operate their network knowing that data required to comply with the Communications (Retention of Data) Act 2011 is being recorded and securely held.  

 

For Service Providers wishing to earn a revenue from their WiFi network we now offer a revenue sharing model that includes automated billing and log-on service that ensures guests can get online and pay for their internet access without onsite staff  assistance.