Q: What is the future of free hot spots at places like hotels, restaurants, etc.? – John, Seattle
The Wizards gaze deeply into their crystal ball and respond:
Rich Swier, Highwall Technologies
There will be free hot spots sponsored by government (libraries, downtown, etc) and paid hot spots run by telecom companies (AT&T, Cingular, T-Mobile, etc.). Also, there will be “hybrids,” where you pay for a service or product (e.g. restaurants, hotels, etc.) and get access free or for a nominal charge. Eventually, to gain mobility and coverage these hybrids will have to work with the telecoms to ensure they support all comers. So it will become a cost to the hotel/restaurant that they will eventually pass on to you, either as a service charge or hidden in the bill. Free won’t last forever.
Robert Myers, Chantry Networks
John, you will continue to see the deployment of free hot spots where the owner of that hot spot can see the return of providing that service through other means. However, the trend is still in deploying hot spots for service. What you should expect to see in the near future is the involvement of more traditional service providers in offering hot spot services.
