Mobility Site - View Single Post - Cringely on "How WhyFi can turn hotspots into a real industry"

deftech · 01-09-04, 04:24 PM

The only other option, as most hotspot owners don't want a completely free connection to their AP, is something similar to a project that our MIS program was working on with SMS messaging a few years back. That is just simply to run a couple of ads when using the service. I don't have an exact idea of implemention with Wi-Fi, but it would basically just be that upon connecting to the hotspot, a webpage would be loaded that contain a few ads for the business that it is located in. For example, say you're in a coffee shop and you want to connect to their AP. You whip out your X3i and it finds their AP. The first try to browse to a webpage, you are forwarded to a promotional coupon for a "Free small cup of coffee with a $3.00 or higher purchase." After this initial load, you can browse freely without any interruptions.

This would be a good promotional tool for the company, while still providing users with a basically free WiFi service.

Of course, I would prefer a completely free service. But this could be a good alternative. The problem lies in how to implement such an ad-based service. I'm sure it could be done though.

01-09-04, 04:24 PM	#6 (permalink)
deftech Aximsite Administrator Addicted Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Arkansas Posts: 5,635 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts Awards Showcase Total Awards: 3	The only other option, as most hotspot owners don't want a completely free connection to their AP, is something similar to a project that our MIS program was working on with SMS messaging a few years back. That is just simply to run a couple of ads when using the service. I don't have an exact idea of implemention with Wi-Fi, but it would basically just be that upon connecting to the hotspot, a webpage would be loaded that contain a few ads for the business that it is located in. For example, say you're in a coffee shop and you want to connect to their AP. You whip out your X3i and it finds their AP. The first try to browse to a webpage, you are forwarded to a promotional coupon for a "Free small cup of coffee with a $3.00 or higher purchase." After this initial load, you can browse freely without any interruptions. This would be a good promotional tool for the company, while still providing users with a basically free WiFi service. Of course, I would prefer a completely free service. But this could be a good alternative. The problem lies in how to implement such an ad-based service. I'm sure it could be done though. __________________ Jordan M. Wigley Aximsite.com Email: jordan AT aximsite.com . To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Come join the friendly community at To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.