Kiwi retailers and restaurateurs are missing a huge opportunity to add value for their customers by not offering free wi-fi, according to a networking expert.

Gareth Green, VP of international sales for Aerohive, says free wi-fi is common at businesses in the US, Europe and even Asia, but hasn't been taken up here.

The company recently released a new router, the BR100, to help solve the problem; using it, businesses can offer wi-fi via their own broadband lines, without compromising the security of their business-related communications.

Private traffic is diverted through a Virtual Private Network (VPN), while public traffic goes directly to the web via a cloud-based security service.

The devices can be managed via AeroHive's HiveManager interface, so retailers with multiple facilities can control many of them from one central location. Management can also be done by resellers, offering an opportunity to secure ongoing revenue.

The Aerohive brand is distributed in New Zealand by Sektor and Connector Systems; go here for more on the BR100.