SHOULD WIRELESS INTERNET BE FREE?

When wireless Internet technology was brand new, one could understand why hotels charged extra for the service. Only a small percentage of hotel guests had laptops and other electronic devices that did not need to be plugged in to connect to the internet. Costs to provide such service to a handful of guests were prohibitive. It may have made sense, ten years ago, to ask users to pay a fee for wireless internet access. 

Today, almost every business traveler has at least one, and usually several, devices that connect to the Internet using wireless technology. Prices have dropped dramatically and free wireless internet is offered in many budget hotels as well as at airports and in coffee shops. Hotel guests expect to have access to wireless connectivity and they do not appreciate being charged extra for the service. Why do so many limited service hotels offer free wireless Internet while the luxury and resort hotels charge $15 or $20 per day for the service?

When you pay $300 for a room in an upscale hotel, you expect to receive plenty of amenities. Getting an Internet access fee added to your bill does not sit well with even very well-to-do travelers. The world has changed and Wireless Internet should be treated the same as other utilities like electricity or land line telephone service. 

Hotels sometimes argue that it costs money to set up a wireless system for a 200 room hotel. Upon further analysis, it turns out those monthly costs to operate such a system only amount to a few dollars per guest. Hotels pay far more per hotel guest for flat screen TVs or even fancy shower heads. Frankly, if the truth be told, high priced hotels charge guests for wireless Internet because they can.

Cost has nothing to do with the decision to charge guests for what should be a free service. Many budget hotels that charge half the rates of luxury lodging facilities, proudly advertise their free wireless Internet. 

Just like you might pay $10 for a beer and a coke at the ballpark or $3 for a small bottle of water, hotels that charge for wireless Internet are trying to scrape every last dime out of their customers. Unfortunately, that strategy almost always backfires and hotels with a pay for wireless policy, wind up losing good customers. 

While there may be some justification to charge a small fee for extra fast service, all hotels should offer basic wireless access for free. Once companies start booking their business travel with other hotels that do offer free wireless Internet, hotels that want to remain competitive, will suddenly change their policies and provide the service with a smile. My bet is that free wireless Internet service will become as common as a television in every room or a complimentary deluxe breakfast. You have to give the people what they want.