Guest Wi-Fi with Vouchers: Step-by-Step UniFi Setup

Why Voucher Wi-Fi

vs single-password guest Wi-Fi, vouchers give:

1. Access control — only voucher holders connect
2. Time limit — "1 hour free with order"
3. Speed limit — guests can't bog down your line
4. Analytics — usage stats
5. Branding — your logo on portal page

What's Needed

• UniFi router with Hotspot Portal: UCG-Ultra, UDM, UDM-Pro, UDM-SE
• UniFi AP: U7-Lite, U7-Pro, U7-IW, U7-Outdoor
• 30-60 min for setup

Step 1: Create Guest SSID

Settings → WiFi → Create New Network:

• Name: "Cafe Guest"
• Type: Standard
• Security: Open (captive portal mandatory)
• Advanced → Guest Network: Enabled

Step 2: Captive Portal

Settings → Hotspot → Portal Settings:

• Enable Hotspot Portal
• Assign SSID: Cafe Guest
• Authentication: Vouchers

Step 3: Page Design

Settings → Hotspot → Customize:

• Logo (PNG ≤1 MB)
• Title: "Welcome to Cafe Name"
• Subtitle: "Enter receipt code for Wi-Fi"
• Brand color
• Privacy policy text

Auto-responsive on mobile.

Step 4: Voucher Templates

Settings → Hotspot → Vouchers → New:

• Type: Single-Use or Multi-Use
• Time: 1h, 2h, 1d
• Speed: Download/Upload (5/2 Mbps comfortable, not torrentable)
• Quantity: 100/500/1000

UniFi outputs PDF/CSV with 8-char codes.

Step 5: Print on Receipt

Option 1: cash register prints "Wi-Fi: XYZ123" on receipt

Option 2: pre-printed cards, barista picks top of stack

Option 3: ask the bartender

Step 6: Test

1. Forget network on phone
2. Connect to "Cafe Guest"
3. Portal page opens
4. Enter code
5. Access granted
6. After hour: disconnects

Step 7: Analytics

UniFi Insights → Hotspot:

• Vouchers activated
• Unique users
• Avg connection time
• Top devices

Real Cafe Parameters

Standard: 2h / 5 Mbps↓ 2↑ / Single-use / 7-day expiry VIP: 4h / 10/5 / Multi-use / 30 days Test: 30 min / 2/1 / Single-use

Legal in Uzbekistan

1. Register with Uzkomnazorat for public venues
2. Keep logs 1 year (ISP requirement)
3. Privacy consent on portal
4. Content filtering recommended

UniFi handles logs and filtering out of box.

Speed Reference

For typical cafe: 5/2 Mbps balances comfort and no abuse.

Don'ts

1. Single-password "guest" — neighbor abuse
2. Too-strict 1h limit annoys 2-hour guests
3. Forget to refresh voucher batches
4. Over-throttle = guests use mobile data

Alternative: SMS Auth

Instead of vouchers, SMS verification:

• Costs 50-100k UZS/month for SMS provider
• More convenient for guests
• Builds contact list (with consent)

Bottom Line

5-7 min barista work per customer, but:

• Network protected from passers-by
• Traffic controlled
• Analytics
• Mini-brand on portal

Standard: UCG-Ultra + U7-Lite + Hotspot + Vouchers, setup 30-60 min, 4-5M UZS hardware.

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