I was interviewed in an “Unstrung: Hotspot Invaders article”:1 on alternative revenue models for public wireless networks:
bq. Offending users and network operators could be another roadblock for these revenue models. Ad-supported muni WiFi is a terrific idea, says Dana Spiegel, executive director of NYCwireless, which provides free WiFi in Manhattan — but “It’s critical that this advertising shouldn’t interfere with the use of the network.”
bq. NYCwireless uses splash pages that appear when users log onto the network that contain a usage agreement plus an area for logos from supporting organizations. The ads — essentially just logos for the organizations that help fund the network — are confined to the splash page.
bq. “The idea of artificially inserting ads into Websites that are viewed on the network is an appalling idea that has another name: adware,” says Spiegel. “NYCwireless would never endorse any program like that, and we feel it would create a bad experience for the people that use our networks.”
[1]http://www.unstrung.com/document.asp?doc_id=89087&WT.svl=news2_1
Filed under: Community Wireless, Interview, Muniwireless, News
