Wireless Future News 9.27.2003 Every Unwired DayAUSTIN (TX) - (September 26, 2003) - Intel Corporation designated yesterday, September 25, 2003 as "One Unwired Day," during which several commercial "for-pay" providers encouraged WiFi usage by waiving access fees for that day.
"This is very generous of Intel, T-mobile, Cometa, Boingo, and the rest of the companies to grant a single free day," said Rich MacKinnon of the Austin Wireless City Project and founder of Less Networks. "However, the Partners in Free WiFi want to remind everyone that every day is a free day."
The Partners in Free WiFi program is a partnership among non-profit and commercial organizations supporting the spread and usage of free WiFi hotspots within community businesses. Accordingly, September 26, 2003 has been designated by the Partners as "Every Unwired Day."
The purpose of the counter-promotion is to raise the public's awareness of free WiFi alternatives. Many of the alternatives are offered by the owners of independent businesses, local computer user groups, and municipalities.
"There are literally thousands of free hotspots around the world," says Jon Lebkowsky of the Austin Wireless City Project. "In Austin in particular, there are scores of free hotspots. Why would anyone want to pay for WiFi when they could spend the money on another cup of coffee?"
According to market research firm IDC, there were 4,200 hot spots at the end of 2002 and there will be 55,000 more over the next five years. "It's a good bet that most of those hotspots will be free," says MacKinnon.
Partners in Free WiFi participating organizations include Austin Wireless City Project, Austin Wireless Group, Austin Free-Net, EFF-Austin, and Less Networks. To join, contact Jon Lebkowsky of the Austin Wireless City Project at info@austinwirelesscity.org.
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About Less Networks
Interested media in this Austin-based movement should contact: 9.24.2003 One Unwired DaySeptember 25 is Intel's One Unwired Day &ndash part of Intel's push to mainstream wi-fi driven mobile computing powered by its new Centrino chip. Intel has a page of event and resource links, and hotspot lists, including one for Austin. 9.16.2003 Motorola, Microsoft team up on phonesFrom Associated Press via the Austin American-Statesman: Motorola and Microsoft are working together to create smarter cellphone technology that are part-phone, part-computer. [Link]
9.14.2003 Austin American-Statesman on Ted RappaportThe Sunday Austin American-Statesman featured an article about Ted Rappaport's efforts to support the wireless sector in Austin. [Link]
9.9.2003 WirelessWeek.comStudy: Wi-Fi Users To Reach 23 Million In 2006 The wireless hot spot market is poised for growth, reaching 23 million users by 2006, according to a new study. But market analyst firm Datamonitor cautions that for long-term success, industry must put its monetary muscle behind service locations and attracting users. WirelessWeek.com Free WiFi Company to Debut at Game Conference Austin-based WiFi startup Less Networks will make its debut providing free "Wi-Fi" or wireless internet access to attendees of the Austin Game Conference on September 11-12. With conference registration exceeding initial projections, they have their work cut out for them. "Less Networks gives away its free WiFi solution to small businesses who in turn give away free WiFi access to their customers," says founder Richard MacKinnon. "We know we're ready for coffee shops, laundromats, and B&B's. 500 game developers could get hairy. Perhaps a Bridal Show would have been a better first outing for us." |