New
#30
Coffee shops look to oust 'laptop hobos'
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New #31
Hi there
Free Wifi doesn't only have to be in a coffee shop -- it's often now included with your Phone contract or TV / Cable / Fixed phone contracts too -- so there's no reason why you can't access the 4G Wi-Fi service via your laptop if your provider has a public Wifi service like the major providers here do.
For example in the UK SKY give you _CLOUD, BT give you BT-FON etc. These are available nearly everywhere. In France it's ORANGE and there are loads of other one's too.
Not sure how this stuff works in the US as this always seemed to be a bit of an area where unlike a lot of the advances in technology the US always seemed to be a little bit behind the curve on mobile communications - possibly due to the sheer size of the country and the fact that you have huge open spaces between very large and tightly populated cities.
Cheers
jimbo
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New #32
Well unfortunately Jimbo, not all areas are equal. Here in the US, the service is called Mobile Hotspot, and that's an additionally paid service. you can include it in you data plan, or you can add it your plan later.
There are some programs out there such as mHotspot (free & paid) which I'm currently using (I'm at my mom's place at the moment and she doesn't have internet) but these programs are slow and tends to drain your cell battery rather rapidly. A rather nasty prospect if you find yourself in an area with no AC outlets
But yes, I have a data plan. However, because I'm grandfathered in (been with my provider since 2001) I have an unlimited data plan which unfortunately does NOT include mobile hotspot. Didn't have a need for it at the time.
Now, if I want a mobile hotspot plan, I can get one, but at the cost of losing my unlimited data plan since my provider doesn't offer that anymore. With that, I'd have to get at minimum a limited 4gig data plan if I wanted mobile hotspot on my phone. That equates to larger phone bill. Now I'll be happy to get it, provided you're paying the bill :)
At any rate that's not that's not the point. The point is businesses providing free Wi-Fi as a courtesy service and some abusing the system to the point that these businesses are now thinking of pulling the plug.
Yes, there's always a way one could provide for himself.
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New #33
Hi there
OK other places have different systems -- the mobile Wifi is pretty standard here with the sort of contracts that are offered now and finally for once the EU Commission has actually done something useful in its long, usually pointless and incredibly expensive existence by forcing mobile providers to CUT the cost of services - especially when roaming. However you have to remember that some entire countries are smaller than individual STATES in the USA though.
I would still maintain though it should be easy for a business to recognize who is and isn't a customer -- for instance I would provide say a small alcove for users who just want to use the Wifi service (I'd provide that as a service to the community) while reserving the Interior of the store for customers.
I'd have TWO different routers -- the exterior one would give the "Free Loaders" say 30 mins before logging them off while Customers would get access to the 2nd network for as long as they wanted. -- Can't be too difficult and the cost to the business is minimal and everybody benefits -- those who just want to check email etc and then go on their way while allowing customers the full convenience and facilities of the store. The first purchase would have a unique password / userid on their till receipt and could only be used until log off - that would stop "Cheating" by passing the receipt to a non purchaser. There are all sorts of easy solutions to the problem -- just needs a little bit of imagination -- while STILL providing a service for the community and keeping goodwill.
After all most Bars / Restaurants seem to have no difficulty in only allowing Patrons to use their restrooms. (WC's for non US readers).
Actually as far as the EU is concerned I'm really happy that Iceland has officially withdrawn its application for Membership -- the EEA agreements with the EU are in place and this is a MUCH better deal for a small island with only a few natural resources. For EU nationals and a few others you still don't need a VISA to visit -- the Schengen agreement is in place (No Visas required and no Border checks if coming from another state in the Schengen Agreement).
Cheers
jimbo
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New #34
I only ever go to coffee shops for a drink or just hanging about, i usually find the coffee shops wifi are either sign up to use or really slow so i don't bother most of the time
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New #35
If a coffee shop wants more business just make the best damn coffee in town.
I believe that their are millions that will sit with friends and enjoy the great coffee and conversation at the table with without poking some gadget to interrupt the conversation.
If one want to go online or make phone calls pay for it just like you would at home or your business. All this free wifi does is raise the price of a great cup of coffee and fill all the seats and tables up with Coffee Shop Hobo's.
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New #36
I got a chuckle a few weeks ago when I waltzed into my grocery store and saw a sign saying they have free Wi-Fi. They don't even have a coffee shop. My guess it was for smart phone toting shoppers comparing prices, etc.
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New #37
Have you tried an app called FoxFi on your GS3? I use FoxFi which creates a wifi hotspot for me without using my carrier's hotspot feature (which is an additional paid feature with it's own data plan). With FoxFi, I can use my laptop to connect to my phone's 4G and utilize it's unlimited data plan.
Of course, using the hotspot feature on my phone does eat up the battery so I prefer to use it when I have an outlet to plug it in. I can also plug the phone into the laptop via USB to use the laptop's battery to extend the phone's battery but that decreases the laptop's run time.
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New #39
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