Abstract: A method for use in a front-end network communications device, arranged to operate as an access point, for establishing a data connection between a mobile communications terminal and one or more data communications networks comprises receiving, from the mobile communications terminal, a service provider request comprising a MAC address of the mobile communications terminal; sending, to a master server, request information pertaining to the service provider request; receiving, from the master server, a policy message comprising a visibility policy, said visibility policy containing rules for controlling the visibility of at least one of the one or more data communications networks; determining a subset of communications networks that should be visible to the mobile communications terminal based on said rules; and enforcing said visibility policy by allowing said mobile communications terminal to connect only to said subset of data communications networks.

Abstract: There is provided methods, devices and computer program products for distributing a plurality of virtual IEEE 802.11 wireless networks through a heterogeneous infrastructure. A terminal sends a service provider request to an access point. The service provider request is forwarded to a master server which searches for available service providers. Acknowledgement information relating to available service providers capable of operatively connecting the terminal to the data communications network via the access point is sent by the master server to the access point. The access point forwards this information to the terminal. The access point may thus distribute a plurality of virtual IEEE 802.11 wireless networks, their number only constrained by the number of distinct identifiable service providers and the memory of the master server. A data connection may be established in the absence of a direct service agreement between the service provider of the terminal and the operator of the access point.

Abstract: There is provided methods, devices and computer program products for automatically connecting an IEEE 802.11 terminal to a virtual IEEE 802.11 wireless network and thereby establishing a data connection to a remote data communications network. A terminal sends a service provider request to an access point. The service provider request is forwarded to a master server which searches for an association between the terminal and a service provider and a service provider server for available service providers. Acknowledgement information relating to a service provider server associated with available service providers capable of operatively connecting the terminal to the data communications network via the access point is sent by the master server to the access point. The access point establishes a virtual IEEE 802.11 wireless network based on this.