Getting Online in Hotels: Hum…
It has occurred to me how much we get ripped off by hotels in Europe when trying to get on-line. In Europe, 24 hour Internet access in hotels ranges from € 15 to € 20 per day and of course in the UK, Euros quite naturally become Pounds. In Asia and in the United States, Internet access is in a large number of hotels free, simply part of the services provided to travelers. Figure that one out!
I am naturally not averse to paying for a convenient service and recognize that an upfront investment must bear its fruits. It is the level of the fee that gets to me.
Why does it have to be this way? Probably for the same reason it took a small company like Skype to get telecommunications costs to drop so significantly in such a short period of time. European businesses have a history and seem most comfortable when overcharging customers. Think of the costs of cable TV, SMS, mobile roaming charges, music and Internet access to name but a few.
In most cases these businesses will only change when pushed to do so. My guess is that we should see significant change in the next few years as companies such as Trustive, FON and The Cloud reach the critical mass to make a difference (I am an investor in none of these).
In the mean time, join me in cursing the hotel manager each time you connect.
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Not only do most hotels in the U.S. and Asia provide free Internet access in each room, there are also low-cost kiosks in the lobby where people can connect for a nominal sum. Pretty surprising that Europe is still lagging in this department!
Comment by panasianbiz — 5/24/2006 @ 12:39 pm
Not only that, U.S. hotels have phones in the bathroom and ironing facilities in every room. But at least in Europe we can drown our dissatisfaction in the minibar.
Comment by Matt — 5/24/2006 @ 1:06 pm
I spend quite a bit of time in South America and here we also have free or very cheap hotel Internet charges.
It sickens me when I go back to Australian hotels and they want around AU$20-40 per 24 hours (€12-24).
I’ve been complaining for a couple of years now and it has not helped, but, power in the numbers I guess.
Comment by Albyxx — 5/24/2006 @ 3:06 pm
Im not sure how it is in the UK or Europe in general, but i do know that Sprint/Nextel offer a broadband wireless card (PCI?) that you pop into your laptop like any wireless card and from there you get some really nice speeds. I heard that the service and range is really good, so perhaps something to check out.
Not sure about the price, but if you travel enough, perhaps an investment would be worth it?
Comment by Elessar — 5/24/2006 @ 3:56 pm
Why not get a UMTS card from Vodafone. Mine worked nice even from a mountain top farm in tuscany. And much cheaper than paying the hotel rate.
Comment by FFD — 5/24/2006 @ 4:31 pm
A little off topic - THANKS FOR THE ALLPEERS INVITE! If anyone reads this who has it add corevette to your friends list.
Comment by Corey Farwell — 5/24/2006 @ 4:39 pm
Just curious, will Allpeers work at Hotel enviornment as well? sometimes I had trouble using skype/im at courtyard here.
Comment by Brian — 5/25/2006 @ 12:51 am
Why so poor customer service on the part of the hotels in Europe. Many hotels provide internet access as a part of the services as they provides phones and laundry facilities.
Comment by Bavi — 5/25/2006 @ 8:52 am
That is weired. I have not stayed in any business grade hotel in Europe that does not offer free wired/wireless broadband connection.
Comment by Jaems Chou — 5/25/2006 @ 8:44 pm
wow, in the u.s. any hotels that have net access has free wi-fi. Coffee houses and restaurants have free wi-fi. I don’t see any reason that an establishment should charge for internet access seeing that free wi-fi brings in customers.
Comment by ooger — 5/26/2006 @ 7:00 am
The ambiance matters the most, if you wanna develop the prestige and goodwill for your hotel too. And providing internet access free of cost is not a big issue and would hardly make any difference in the hotel’s financial accounts. I m shocked Europe is lagging in such a pretty thing.
Comment by Nick — 5/26/2006 @ 11:17 am
I am wondering if AllPeers will ever get released… can we even get a beta for Linux and Windows?
Comment by InterestedInAllPeersActuallyGettingReleased — 5/26/2006 @ 8:27 pm
I can’t understand why they are not providing their customers with internet access free of cost.
Its strange!!!!!
Comment by Paul — 5/27/2006 @ 8:19 am
w00t i got an invite!
Comment by Progz — 5/27/2006 @ 6:42 pm
I was at a hotel for the weekend in Whistler, Canada and the Wireleass Internet was 13.95 CAD for 24 Hours from the hotel, going up to 24.95 for a prepaid ‘yodel Wireless’ Card.
Comment by Vlad Zaharia — 5/28/2006 @ 12:09 pm
Whats the big deal about providing free internet access!
Hard to understand?
Comment by Maysa — 6/7/2006 @ 9:22 am
the forex…
the forex
You will inherit some money or a small piece of land.
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Trackback by the forex — 6/12/2006 @ 6:15 am
Its something really strange and shocking on Europe’s part. They really need to work out for their customers service. Otherwise the future is…………..offcourse dark.
Comment by Thomas — 6/13/2006 @ 8:05 am
enya…
enya
But, for my own part, it was Greek to me.
– William Shakespeare, “Julius Caesar”
…
Trackback by enya — 6/15/2006 @ 11:19 am
yahoo back door backgammon…
yahoo back door backgammon
Are you ever going to do the dishes? Or will you change your major to biology?
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Trackback by yahoo back door backgammon — 6/17/2006 @ 8:40 pm
backgammon board game…
backgammon board game
Just to have it is enough.
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Trackback by backgammon board game — 6/19/2006 @ 11:04 pm
Very very strange…………such a poor ambience.Wake up Europe!
Comment by candacejune — 7/3/2006 @ 11:29 am
I stayed 3 days at the ESA in the Clearwater area of Florida and internet access for my entire stay?
5 dollars.
Comment by Holter — 2/20/2007 @ 7:14 am
thank you nice sharing
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