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Free Wi-Fi News
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"That's right, we blog!" (with thanks to RP and GW) News and information for free public access Wi-Fi location owners and users We call a hotspot that offers free Wi-Fi internet access a Wi-Fi-FreeSpot.
Want to learn how to build a FreeSpot? Go to WiFiFreenet.
Wireless Internet Access Links
Wi-Fi Networking News Daily Wireless SmallNetBuilder Tech Dirt Wireless Subscribe to Archives 
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Friday, February 28, 2003
Got Free, if you want it!
Get the word out! Let the wireless road warrior business travelers know they have an alternative to paying for their occasional Wi-Fi use while they're on the road.
Get the word out! Let your neighborhood office workers know they can stay connected for free while on a break or having lunch.
Get the word out! Let your neighborhood residents know they can get free broadband access while socializing with their friends over a latte or a pint.
Your free Wi-Fi is just as good and your coffee's probably better.
Get the word out! Got Free Wi-Fi, if you want it! Thursday, February 27, 2003
802.11g
The Wi-Fi Alliance said it will begin testing 802.11g products for certification this Summer. The Alliance says, "In order to receive certifications from the Wi-Fi Alliance, 802.11g products must be backward-compatible with the 802.11b standard and support simultaneous operation of both 802.11b and 802.11g clients." They warned "that presents manufacturers with a tough technical challenge."
If you're planning on buying an access point for a FreeSpot installation or a card for your laptop it's probably best to stick with 802.11b products right now. Do you really need a broadband connection at home?
Mike Masnick at techdirt.com had an interesting comment regarding recent interviews with Larry Brilliant of Cometa in Wired and Red Herring. "Companies seem to overestimate just how many "wireless warriors" there are, and how much they're willing to pay for occasional internet access."
This got me thinking about people who only need internet access occasionally. If you have a laptop computer and you have a favorite neighborhood cafe or coffeeshop that has free Wi-Fi access why not get a web based e-mail account at Yahoo or someplace similar and just use them for your occasional use .
You'd get to "socialize" at the cafe, eat good food and drink coffee or other beverages, and occasionally check your e-mail and do a little web surfing. Better than paying $40-50 a month for a broadband connection you might only use occasionally at home.
Wednesday, February 26, 2003
New FreeSpot Directory Additions
Three new additions in the Asheville area on the North Carolina page. Tuesday, February 25, 2003
Who needs roaming?
The Wireless Internet Service Provider(WISP) Roaming standard proposal was released today. Glenn Fleishman of Wi-Fi Networking News and the co-author of the book, The Wireless Networking Stater Kit, had this to say,
Sam Churchill of dailywireless.org said "Flat-fee roaming between different "hot spots" may find tough competition from "no fee" Community LANs. A viable "free" community LAN model could mean trouble for roaming operators. Who really NEEDS roaming if it's just to keep track of billing? Hot spots may be like public transit. It could cost as much to collect fees as it brings in. "
The same applies to restaurants, cafes, etc., like those in the FreeSpot Directory, that aren't part of a Community LAN, but individually offer free access. No need for roaming agreements if the access is free. Just connect. New FreeSpot Directory Additions
New additions to the Europe page for Austria and Germany.
Also, just found a couple of New York City locations to add to the New York page. Monday, February 24, 2003
New FreeSpot Directory Additions
New free locations in Camas and Issaquah added to the Washington page.
Also, the Common Grounds coffeeshop in Arlington, VA. Where would you like to find a Free Wi-Fi connection?
How about the State Tourism rest areas on the Interstate you see as you enter a new state.
You can go in and use the "facilities" and get a soda and a snack and a few brochures of local attractions. Imagine then pulling out the laptop to check out those local attractions' web sites for more info or just check your e-mail. Courtesy of the free Wi-Fi connection provided by the State's Official Tourism Department.
Or imagine that you're a traveling salesman pulling into the same rest area and you need to check your e-mail or company intranet for some info you'll need on your next call.
Hopefully State Tourism Offices are thinking this over right now.
Free Wi-Fi connections can be offered anywhere they will be of benefit to the people using that location. Why should location owners give Wi-Fi away for free?
These quotes can be found on my How do I set up a Wi-Fi FreeSpot? page but they bear repeating.
"It is possible, though, that free WiFi service could be leveraged as a competitive advantage by hotels and retail establishments as a way to generate more revenues from the core businesses. But there is little doubt that the cost of WiFi hardware is falling and installation is simple at many locations. After all, how many people have installed their own cellular networks at home?! For many small
"Meanwhile, those who run paid hotspots say that people will pay for their services because of the "quality". Of course, it won't take people very long to figure out the quality is about the same in most places. I still think that the establishments (restaurants, coffee shops, bookstores, whatever) that offer for fee hotspots are missing the point. Offering free WiFi is likely to bring in more customers who will buy whatever products they're actually selling. They should focus on what their business is, and not worry about becoming an ISP. The free WiFi acts as a promotional item. Paid-for WiFi becomes another product on their menu - which takes them out of their area of expertise." Mike Masnick - Tech Dirt Wireless News - February 2003
"If you own a small coffee shop, you might be better off giving away the Wi-Fi service in the hopes of selling more drinks and snacks." - Lee Barken, Mobile Business Advisor Magazine - October 2002
"WLAN hotspots should be considered as marketing tools rather than profit centers" - Tammy Parker, analyst for the ARC Group of London, England and author of their recent report on "hotspots" - July 2002. Free community access points
The Wi-Fi FreeSpot Directory concentrates on commercial business locations that offer free public access Wi-Fi, but there may not be one in your area yet. There are a growing number of grassroots "community" networks and individuals that are willing to share their access for free. There are several sources available to find a network's central listing or to find individual open nodes.
Thursday, February 20, 2003
Wi-Fi service user number projections
802.11 Planet/Jupiter Media, citing IDC, projects
Wi-Fi service users Instead of trying to profit from WiFi....
Mike Masnick of techdirt.com had this to say about the "virtually" free access being offered by Benugo in London.
"Instead of trying to profit from WiFi (which simply doesn't work), they're realizing that they need to stick to their core competence (serving food), and realize that the WiFi internet access is a promotion that helps bring in more customers. Hopefully we'll see more and more eating establishments come to this same conclusion." Like charging for salt and pepper.
Jamis MacNiven, the owner of Buck's Restaurant in Woodside, CA, was quoted by Scott Rafer in his report for WirelessReport.net about why he offers free wi-fi access.
"I pay $60 for 1.5 mps signal which I need anyway. Charging for the online usage would be, for me, like charging for salt and pepper." One hour FREE introductory offer at BOLDstreet's Canadian hotspots
One hour of FREE wireless internet access is yours to try at any BOLDstreet HOTspot location (value $5.99) Wednesday, February 19, 2003
Free Wi-Fi for guests at Omni Hotels
This story is a bit of old news. The announcement was made on Feb. 4. It seems even the well-to-do traveler sees the availability of free wi-fi as something worth considering when picking a place to stay. I first read the story on www.m-travel.com .
"A six-month trial has shown that it is good business to give high-end customers free wireless Internet access. Omni Hotels announced this week that the company will be the first luxury hotel brand in the U.S. to offer free high-speed wireless Internet access in guest rooms and select public spaces at owned and managed hotels in North America."
"Guests of Omni Hotels will now be able enjoy the ease of wireless throughout our properties," said Tom Chevins, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Omni Hotels. "Those who turn hotel rooms into on-the-road offices will have increased productivity without increased cost." Free Wi-Fi for urban housing project residents
An important aspect about the development of wireless fidelity and the 802.11 standards is that it can be used to provide access to people and places that haven't had access up to now. The Internet is a huge repository of information of all kinds and access should not be limited to just those that can afford it.
Here's a story about a housing project in Boston's Roxbury neighborhood that will soon offer free wi-fi to all residents.
A quote from the article
UK gets 'virtually' free wireless hot spots
Sandwich bar chain Benugo has established wireless hot spots at two of its London stores, in partnership with wireless communications firm Broadscape.
The hot spots will give Benugo customers free high-speed internet access, if they have a laptop or PDA that is either 802.11b or Bluetooth compatible.
When they make a purchase, customers will be given an access code that allows them to log into the wireless network for up to 30 minutes, letting them check email and surf the web.
The two stores are located at St Johns Street, Clerkenwell and at Berwick Street, Soho. Benugo hopes to boost trade at these outlets by offering this free high-speed wireless access to its customers
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