the hotspot business model

Filed in archive Technology on January 19, 2004

CNET has another update on public Wifi access statistics.

"Recently, service provider Wayport publicized the number of connections to its network, which consists of more than 800 locations. (The company has been among the few to make its numbers public.) Wayport has had 4 million connections to its network but just 10,000 monthly subscribers. The number of monthly subscribers is the more significant figure, because it shows how many are committed to the service."

Clearly the business model lacks real value for many customers, as long as there is no roaming. But there might be help under way.