http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/telecom/2004-09-12-wifi-cafes_x.htm
Businesses cast Wi-Fi lures to hook customers By Jefferson Graham, USA TODAY "Michael Keegan, who runs Manhattan Bread (http://www.manhattanbread.com) in Manhattan Beach, Calif., switched from dial-up to high-speed DSL service two years ago to speed his credit card-processing transactions. Because his DSL phone modem was in the back of the store, he invested in wireless technology to reach his cash registers. Once it became operational, he realized Wi-Fi offered him a business opportunity. "A quarter-page ad in my local paper is $400, and how many people will come in for that?" Keegan says. "Now, because I have free Wi-Fi, I get listed in online hot spot directories, and that brings in three to four new customers a day." Business is up 2% monthly, and he loves how Wi-Fi keeps his seats filled, even at down times. "When you walk into a restaurant at 3 in the afternoon and no one is there, it projects an eerie feeling," he says. "But if five people are hanging out there on their computers, it makes you feel more at home." Chris Shipe is one of Keegan's regulars. He leaves his office in nearby El Segundo for a sandwich and two hours of e-mail and Web surfing without interruption. "I can do everything here I can do in an office, plus get something to eat," says Shipe, who works for an Internet conferencing firm. A broadband connection and a simple consumer wireless router, "and that's it," says Jim Sullivan, who runs http://WifiFreeSpot.com. Keegan became such a Wi-Fi advocate that from his perch as city councilman of neighboring Hermosa Beach, he persuaded fellow council members to bring free wireless (http://www.wifihermosabeach.com) to the city. Service began last month." ------------------------ Frank Keeney http://www.wlanparts.com Co-Founder, Southern California Wireless User Group: http://www.socalwug.org IM: Yahoo: wlanparts, AIM: wlanparts, MSN: frank at pasadena.net VOIP: Skype: wlanparts, FWD: 289372
