Geekarati Says Liberté Wi-Fi

Today's NY Times Technology section featured an alluring article about Austin Wireless City Project. A group of geekarati in Austin, TX are trying to "keep wi-fi free" by setting up a Wi-Fi hot spot -- free -- in any business that has a high-speed internet connection. The group uses recycled computers donated by a local company to set up these hot spots. "By saving the environment, we also found a cost-effective (free!) way to put hot spot servers in our venues," Richard MacKinnon told NY Times. They also keep costs down by loading the machines with free software like the Linux operating system and other programs that they developed to enhance the network for users. Anyone who is connected through the network can see who else is logged on and send Web-based e-mail or chat live with them, wherever they might be in town.

Should other businesses such as Starbucks or T-Mobile, who is by far the industry leader with nearly 3, 000 public hot spots, be weary of Austin's free of charge Wi-Fi access? No really. As a spokesperson for Starbucks put it: "We believe that the increase in Wi-Fi hot spots is a good thing ? it builds awareness and helps increase customer adoption of Wi-Fi across the board."

T-Mobile has been offering the service at Starbucks since August of 2002 (link). T-Mobile customers can buy a day pass for $9.99 or purchase a T-Mobile Wi-Fi account for $39.99. This is month-to-month plan with no commitment, which is cheap compared to Sprint PCS Wi-Fi access for $49.99. T-Mobile also provides Wi-Fi access at more than 100 airline clubs, more than 400 Borders Books and music stores, and 1, 100 Kinko's outlets. Not to seem like an advocate for T-Mo but...they were the first mobile phone carrier in the United States to get into the Wi-Fi hotspot business.

If only these Geekarati would make their way up north to New York. Sip and Surf for free never tasted so sweet. Read up on recent development in Wi-Fi at http://wifinetnews.com/ and find local wireless hot spots at http://www.jiwire.com/.


Permalink :: ::