Four Major Benefits Of The FCC’s Public Wifi Proposal. By. Andrea Peterson. The Washington Post reports that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is considering a proposal to provide free internet access in major metropolitan and many rural areas. The plan, largely opposed by wireless telecom companies and supported by tech companies including Microsoft and Google, would open up publicly owned spectrum as super strength Wi. Fi and take several years to implement. Some of the possible key benefits include: 1. Helping the U. S.


Despite being the birthplace of many internet innovations, the U. S. A staggering 9. U. S. A massive public work Wifi program would help deliver high speed internet access to areas currently lacking and provide competition in areas with limited choice. Using wireless spectrum as a public good. There is a debate raging over the best use of publicly owned wireless spectrum, with some business interests advocating for the space to be auctioned to private companies — creating the potential for monopolies.
Using the spectrum for provide free internet access to the public is a way to to make sure average users benefit, rather than big corporations. Expanding freedom of expression online. The United Nations calls freedom of expression online a human right, but not everyone has internet access in the U. S. Eliminating the cost barrier by providing access for free will undoubtedly expand the number of total U. S. Bolstering innovation. Expanding the number of internet users means expanding the market for internet devices — that’s one of the reasons tech giants including Microsoft and Google are supporting the plan — and opening the way for more experimentation and innovation in that marketplace. The original Washington Post story notes that the last time the FCC opened up a spectrum for public use, creativity in the form of “.
The Pros and Cons of Offering Free Wi. Fi to Your Customers.
Benefits of Public. A public internet connection means that there is. In New York City, free public Wi-Fi is available in 20 parks from AT&T. Google and Boingo.
Posted by. Rachel on. Thursday, January 1. When you have errands to run that involve sitting around – like at the nail or hair salon, doctor’s office, auto shop or oil change facility – it’s nice to be able to catch up on work or watch a show on Netflix to pass the time.
If a business offers free Wi. FI, it’s easy to fill the time on your mobile device or laptop, but if they don’t, you mind end up twiddling your thumbs. Personally, when two businesses are equal on all other fronts, I will always choose the business that provides free Wi.
How Wi-Fi Is Used to Attract Customers. Coffee shops with Wi-Fi hot spots. Free Wi-Fi. The Pros and Cons of Offering Free WiFi to. 5 Reasons Why Your Business Should Provide Free WiFi to. Free WiFi is now available on public and. Planning and Implementing a Wi-Fi zone for. We helped downtown areas create public Wi-Fi zones for a number of reasons that.
Fi during my visit. If you own a business where customers sit around and wait (for whatever reason), you should strongly considering investing in public Wi. Fi for your customers – but do so in a way that doesn’t open you up to data risk or legal liability.
Here are some points to consider.#1 People Expect Connectivity. Increasingly, people expect to have access to the internet everywhere, all the time. Even grocery stores are offering Wi. Fi so shoppers can cruise the web while wheeling through the aisles. But especially in establishments where you sit – restaurants, dentist or doctor offices, coffee shops, etc. If forced to wait, customers will end up irritated because it can feel like you’re wasting their time. But if they can work, surf the internet, tool around on Facebook or catch up on their favorite TV shows, they’ll be less likely to track the passage of time or complain about the wait.#3 Cost is Negligible.
Another plus to offering free Wi. Fi to your customers is that it costs almost nothing to supply it. You’ll want to have an additional router to keep customer Wi. Fi separate from your business internet use to prevent any security issues, but a $5. Depending on customer usage, you may need to increase bandwidth or add a separate internet account, but you can address that when the need arises.#4 Offering Wi. Fi Can Allow You to Gather Data. If you require customers to sign in via a social media service to access your Wi.
Fi, you can get customer information that will allow you to interact with them and promote your business. Alternately, Purple Wi.
Fi will set up your customer Wi. Fi for free (but you can upgrade to enhanced services for a modest cost) and help you set up internet coupons, etc. This can be a great way to encourage customers to come back again and to recommend your business to their friends. Beware the risks of setting up your own Wi. Fi. Image source: Inspire. Wi. Fi. com#5 Beware Risks Associated with Customer Wi.
Fi While setting up internet for your customers might seem like a breeze, it’s important to be aware of the potential risks. Sometimes customers may abuse public Wi.
Fi and use it to download inappropriate images or pirated software or media. You may want to block known torrent sites (or any site with certificate or safety issues) to prevent downloads from eating up bandwidth and to prevent customers from using your ISP to pirate, which can result in shutdown. Requiring a password and changing it periodically is also recommended! If you don’t have in- house technical expertise, don’t try to DIY it.
This can put you at risk for hacking if your new public Wi. Fi isn’t properly fire- walled from your business data and create unnecessary risk. But with a little help, offering free Wi. Fi to your customers is a no- brainer that will encourage loyalty and new business for a minimal investment. Owen- Dunn is a trusted advisor on risk, benefits and insurance to clients of all sizes and across all industries. Our passion is creating intelligent, flexible coverage solutions for both captive and traditional insurance clients. Contact us today or join us at one of our events!