HotSpots
Picking up a story ran by the NYTimes, SmartMobs chimes in on McDonald’s and StarBucks charging for WiFi. This rings up there with the public library saying you can’t use FREE WiFi after hours.
There’s also comment on airports starting to charge for electricity. We may still have to fly but luckily we have user-friendly Panera Bread who happens to offer WiFi for FREE. Probably healthier for you anyway.
No FREE WiFi
Now on to part two of our doubleheader. By sheer dumb luck, a query of Google’s BlogSearch allowed me to sniff out this post commenting on a supposed group effort by mobile phone service providers to thwart FREE WiFi.
It’s really just a plea to read The Killing of WiFi. Despite the length, it’s a brisk read. But here’s the rundown:
Carriers are only shoving you wireless access cards like shafts down the throat of Antonella Barba because they want you to be blind to the idea of municpal WiFi. That pretty much means FREE WiFi.
As well as not having your mobile freedom in mind they just want your money because the cards and access are priced ridonkulously. At least according to the Killing of WiFi article.
My Digital Perspective
I don’t think municpal WiFi would be 100% FREE but an additional $3-6 bucks or so tacked onto whatever as a tax or something monthly is nothing compared to $60 bucks a month. Also the people who are really weighing in on this, meaning the tech savvy probably prefer the cost of private access vs. “big brother” giving you access.
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