Hotel WI-FI

[wi-not]

I don't know if anyone has run into this, but thought it was a scam!

My wife and I were staying at a hotel in Santa Barbara. The lady in front us was asking the clerk if they had wireless internet. The clerk said that is was $60.00 to rent the wireless card for her laptop and $25.00 unlimited access per day.

When I got back to my room I turned on my PDA and activated the WIFI card. I got on the internet for free!!! No passwords, no encryption! NOTHING!

WHAT A MAJOR SCAM!!!

On the bright side. I was at a restuarant that had free WIFI and the password was on the corner of the menu. Very nice!!!:) :D ;)

[xpkranger]

Outrageous equipment rental fees are quite common. Fees for for wireless access are common also. If you got on the internet without paying the access fee, then either you have an SSL VPN (probably a Juniper) or more likely, they don't have it configured properly. Also, you could have jumped on to another network if you are in a high density are such as NYC.

Many hotels now are offering free wireless as a perk. I hope the trend continues.

Equipment rental fees = RIPOFF!!