New Public WiFi Network to be Offered Free of Charge
2002 had witnessed a massive expansion of public WiFi networks. Many began to talk about the huge potential it held. However, over time, many of these networks had to shut shop and the remaining became so expensive that your home broadband bill for a month would turn out to be cheaper than using a WiFi hotspot for a day (compare broadband prices here).
According to Owen Geddes, who is the CEO of Freerunner, the latest public WiFi network to enter the market, this is a major problem, which can be addressed by tweaking the business model.
The venture, if it proves successful in the north east, which will get the service first because of funding from NorthStar, would soon come up all over the country.
Geddes was earlier part of the team, which launched the popular The Cloud network. The difference between Freerunner and other public WiFi networks is that it would not be concentrated in small commercial pockets but would extend to places like public libraries, train stations, and schools.
This is good news for those who wish to access the public network since it would no longer require them to provide for the costs by buying a cup of coffee or a sandwich from the coffee shop or the restaurant where these networks are set up. Moreover, it is expected to be much easier on the pocket even for these commercial places, as they would have to pay a nominal fee, which is said to be a third of what other operators ask for.
