Easy 802.11b Wireless for Small Businesses
highlights the
conundrum
facing anyone attempting to make money from 802.11 connectivity – it’s so darn cheap and easy that it’s hard to justify not offering it for free:
“One of the first questions a business owner needs to answer is “Why am I providing wireless access for my customers?” If the answer is to find a way to make a bit of money, then obviously, a charge is in order. However, given that it costs so little to provide wireless access, most businesses should probably look at providing this as an amenity for the customers, just as the furniture and the pictures on the wall are meant to be. It should be a perk that encourages customers to come back. Often these are referred to as “value-added” services.”
and relatedly,
“tapping in freely”
gives
nocat
some good press – complete with surprisingly agnostic comments from ISPs:
“”The intended use is for the single home or business,” said Fletcher Cook, a spokesman for Pacific Bell. “While our policy does not prohibit this, it is not the intended use. It increases vulnerability and security, but we don’t see this as widespread problem.”
Dane Jasper, president of Sonic.net, a Santa Rosa Internet service provider, even applauds the network organizers’ ingenuity.”