Is It Time to Say Goodbye to Free Wi-fi? (by @PeterShankman)
This is something I’ve thought about quite a bit lately. For one, I’ve noticed that people are routinely showing up in coffee shops and absolutely taking over the bandwidth with movies and other streaming media. It also seems like coffee shops really should be a “socialize-first” environment, and 10 people in there zoned out in front of computer screens doesn’t help encourage socialization.
I do think Peter’s article below will rub some people the wrong way. That’s okay…I think he’s got a good point. And width the rise in mi-fi type devices (I’ve got a mobile hotspot on my phone…it rocks!) and coworking spaces (I’ve got that coming soon as well!), coffee shops might be able to go back to being more like coffee shops and less like computer labs. I’m not for it, but I’m not opposed to it either. I like coffee enough not to care. 
Now, though, (and I know I’m gonna get a ton of crap for this) it seems that the people who are doing “real” work, aren’t spending time in the coffee shop to begin with – They’ve ponied up for the price of a MiFi, or a Sprint EVO, or a similar card that jail-breaks them from the bonds of the coffee shop.
“Outside” has become the new coffee shop.
Let’s face it: Connectivity is power. I want that power, so I pay $59.99 a month for a Sprint MiFi card. I don’t have to be in a coffee shop to connect. I can connect from the cab, or an airport, or the Drop Zone, or the beach. All I need is a mobile signal. To me, that’s power.
It’s also a hell of a lot safer. Ever wonder how secure those Wi-Fi networks are in the local coffee shop or airport lounge? Here’s a secret: “Not safe at all.” One sniffer, and a run of the mill password crack program, and someone can start grabbing every single packet you’re transmitting. And yes. People do. All the time.
So yes – I call for the death of free Wi-Fi. Internet on-the-go that important to you? Buy a monthly subscription with a MiFi card, and get online whenever you want – not just at the local coffee house. It was a good idea once. But technology (and the selfishness of the one-cup-of-coffee-a-day people) have brought an era to an end. Heck, you might even discover new places. There’s a rock in Central Park that’s become my new de-facto meeting point, and I’ve sent 200 emails I typed on the plane, all from the BART when I landed in SF.
Interesting article. I personally think that they should just come up with a valid model that allows you to utilize the service but limits timeframe. Maybe on the receipt it prints a code that gives you 30 or 45 minutes of WiFi service. Then after that… bye bye. I can see many benefits to having the service available but I can also see the potential issues.
One thing I have to say is I find it quite odd that people feel like they have to go somewhere to “disconnect”. Just don't take the blasted laptop! Turn off your phone!! You have the power!
Come on, asking a techie to “disconnect” in a coffee shop is like asking a recovering alcoholic to sober up in a bar. lol I kid. I honestly do wonder how long the whole wi-fi thing will even be an issue anyways as more and more broadband-enabled devices like mi-fi and iPads are released, not to mention tethering capabilities on smartphones. In a few years coffee shops can turn off the wi-fi altogether but will probably still have a room full of folks on connected devices. They might have to create zones for device uses (think smoking, non-smoking areas). Ah, the suspense of what the future may hold.