“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 [EMAIL PROTECTED]
About Austin Wireless City Project
The mission of the Austin Wireless City Project is To EDUCATE, ADVISE,
ENABLE and ASSIST operators of public spaces in providing free wireless
hotspots to ALL residents of Austin and surrounding areas. The website is
http://www.austinwirelesscity.org/. The contact is Jon Lebkowsky at
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
About Austin Wireless Group
The mission of the Austin Wireless Group is to bring together like minded
folks to discuss and brainstorm on ideas regarding future direction, and
network methodology, and set up a fully operational network maintained by
and for the community. The website is http://www.austinwireless.net/. The
contact is Dan Vogler at [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Austin Free-Net
Austin Free-Net's goal is to ensure that underserved communities can access
and effectively use the Internet and computer technologies in public spaces
throughout Greater Austin. The website is http://www.austinfree.net/. The
contact is Ana Sisnett at [EMAIL PROTECTED]
About EFF-Austin
EFF-Austin is an independent nonproft civil liberties organization concerned
with emerging frontiers where technology meets society. We are a group of
visionary technologists, legal professionals, academics, political activists
and concerned citizens who work to protect digital rights and educate the
public about emerging technologies and their implications. The website is
http://www.eff-austin.org. The contact is Jon Lebkowsky at
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
About Less Networks
Less Networks creates downloable customer-branded Free WiFi hotspots.
Venues own their hotspot and manage it with simple web tools. Hotspot
software lets venues communicate with their customers and log usage. Users
gain access to all Less Networks hotspots and interact with others logged in
from home or other venues.
The website is http://www.lessnetworks.com/. The contact is Rich MacKinnon
at [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Interested media in this Austin-based movement should contact: Holt Hackney Hackney Communications (512) 632-0854 [EMAIL PROTECTED]
-- Lorin Rivers Funky Marketeer Less Networks, LLC 512.203.3198 <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> __________________________ LESSnetworks < free WiFi (TM)
-- general wireless list, a bawug thing <http://www.bawug.org/> [un]subscribe: http://lists.bawug.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless
