Wireless everywhere. - Part 2
I wrote a post on 8th of February regarding the importance of wireless internet access in coffee shops and tea houses.
I talked with managers from within a few coffee shop chains that offered that service and asked them a few questions. The main idea from the discussions I had with them was that approximately 15-20% of their customers use the internet. The ones that do are loyal and tend to come more often and spend more time.
Also a very interesting point was that there has never been a case where people would just use the internet and not buy anything, and they believe it will never happen. Still I asked them how are they prepared to face such situations and the general answer was that you can’t charge for such services, neither can you oblige somebody to buy something, Romanians are too stingy.
And they are right; none of the coffee shops can afford charging for internet while competition gives it away for free.
Written by Cristian
March 5th, 2007 at 1:08 pm
Anyone who thinks they can charge for wireless access is clueless; and I really can’t understand why hotels don’t get this.
March 8th, 2007 at 1:42 am
I just read the new, large Radisson Hotel going in downtown this fall (at the old Hotel Bucharest) will offer free wireless for the whole site.