I just got back from a business trip and brought my laptop along for entertainment. The last time I was there, I could have sworn the airport in Calgary had free WiFi so I was looking forward to a little surfing while waiting for my flight. Well, if it was free, it isn't anymore - Telus runs it now. So I fired the laptop up to give it a whirl. Then I saw the rates. $8 for 60 minutes. Excuse me?
OK people, I would have thought the 'value added' business model would have caught on by now, but I guess not. So here goes. Attention all businesses that want to attract and keep more customers. If you offer free WiFi as a value added service to your already-bloated prices, customers will want to try your business and be tempted to stay longer - which will likely lead to their consuming more of your ridiculously-priced services / product! No overhead to process billing either. It's a win-win situation.
[tap tap] Is this thing on?
2 comments:
Based on what I've been reading, businesses that have offered free WiFi (in the US especially) have had great successes. As for the legalities of what the connection is used for, I don't see people using it for immoral or illegal purposes considering the total lack of privacy regarding a public connection.
I work in a busy cafe in Seattle and the free Wifi we offer there has been the subject of big debate with the staff and the owners. While some users buy enough coffee to justify taking table space for hours, many come in, buy the cheapest drink, take up the biggest tables, don't tip and contribute to the creepy non- neighborhoodie silence.Sometimes customers seem to think that businesses are capable of existing on no money. Sadly, not true. In spite of this, I've been for keeping the free WiFi. But, we may be limiting the time users can click for free. Too bad, rude people ruin it for everyone.
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