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Free wi-fi in airports

How important is free wi-fi in airports? London City (LCY) has free wi-fi, now Nice airport (NCE) offers free wi-fi. There are many more airports offering it. You can find them also using a geographical interface (although not as up to date as you would like). Of course you get free wifi in many business lounges, but that is different from being able to stay connected the whole time untill boarding, simply because many travellers not only use wi-fi for their laptops but also for smart phones.

Is it really differentiating for travellers?

I think so. Todays travellers almost all carry smart phones equiped with 3G capabilities or use 3G dongles on their laptops. Roaming data-costs are substantial so in these times of cost-cutting, high phone bills are to be avoided. There are a couple of commercials wi-fi consolidators like boingo and iPass but (non-corporate) pricing is high. Either $60 a month or daily rates up to $50. So yes, free wi-fi (especially abroad) is a big plus.

Which I also evaluate in planning my trip, just like choosing a hotel.

UPDATE (12 november): Google is to offer free wifi at a number of US airports. Not completely free. Read the article here.

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Last Updated on Thursday, 12 November 2009 14:23

Comments (2)

Of course, there may not be many opportunities in which you can choose airports. London is in Europe a good example though.

free wifi in airports would be great, but will it impact selection of the airports you travel to like it may as you choose a hotel? unlikely

another thought, softphone with wifi is already a cost saver which can easiliy pay fo rthe 50 0r 60 bucks for a flat fee with Boingo...savings from cell phone roaming that is.. (think beyond airports, coverage in hotels, cafe's etc. )