4 ms·

Think this is pretty absurd move by the hotels as well. fwiw though, I believe a bunch of the higher end hotels can't implement free wifi, because they set up

by kak9 12y ago

Think this is pretty absurd move by the hotels as well. fwiw though, I believe a bunch of the higher end hotels can't implement free wifi, because they set up Wifi a while back and got locked in to contracts with the companies that set it up for them--which haven't expired yet.

memracom 12y ago
There is a solution to this problem. It's called bankruptcy after which someone buys the hotels assets without the debts and other obligations. The new owner can then set up a sensible free WiFi service ( and charge that old WiFi company a reasonable fee so they can some in and remove their old and highly valuable infrastructure).
skuhn 12y ago
I don't have any knowledge of contracts that hotels might have for wifi, but it strikes me as strange that this is the way the hotels are going about dealing with that situation. Hotels first started deploying wifi in what, 2002-4? How long were these contracts exactly? If they contracted with a firm to provide bed linens, and haven't seen the performance of these linens in service, would they sign 20 year iron-clad deals? If their customers complain that the per-night cost of the linens are equal to buying them, or hate them to the point of bringing their own sheets, would they still stick to their guns? Would they appeal to the Federal Sheet Commission for help blocking third party sheets? Or would they say "this isn't worth it"? They're in the business of accommodating guests, not antagonizing them. So then find a way out of this contract or just eat the termination fee. After all, if the deals are so bad, the minimum + a reasonable modern deal may break even or come out ahead. Every contract has a way out, particularly when performance goals are not met, and I'm just skeptical that an entire industry of multi-billion dollar companies got so thoroughly taken for a ride by upstart wifi installers in 2003.
- Klinky 12y ago
  The hotel industry is pretty fragmented. Most hotel chains are franchises run mainly by independent franchisees. The quality of hotels varies wildly depending on location, even within the same brand/chain. There isn't as much oversight or centralized management as one might think. The hotel industry is also big on low wages, high employee turnover and pushing people in and out of the door as quickly as possible. Proper implementation of wifi is an afterthought. The experience is usually better in 4-star or higher hotels, but those come at a premium.
  - skuhn 12y ago
    I can't really speak to their quality, but I do find it interesting how different tiers of hotels price their in-room wifi. High end charges, low end is free or non-existent, and then there's a mid-range where it's specifically called out as a free amenity and quality is pretty decent (Kimpton, Joie de Vivre, etc.). The theory that I've seen passed around is that high end hotels know that you're good for it, and their clients are accustomed to various upcharges already. It also seems to be extremely uniform for different hotels in a chain; e.g. I have never seen a non-conformist Hyatt that doesn't charge.

by kak9 12y ago

memracom 12y ago

There is a solution to this problem. It's called bankruptcy after which someone buys the hotels assets without the debts and other obligations. The new owner can then set up a sensible free WiFi service ( and charge that old WiFi company a reasonable fee so they can some in and remove their old and highly valuable infrastructure).

skuhn 12y ago

I don't have any knowledge of contracts that hotels might have for wifi, but it strikes me as strange that this is the way the hotels are going about dealing with that situation. Hotels first started deploying wifi in what, 2002-4? How long were these contracts exactly? If they contracted with a firm to provide bed linens, and haven't seen the performance of these linens in service, would they sign 20 year iron-clad deals? If their customers complain that the per-night cost of the linens are equal to buying them, or hate them to the point of bringing their own sheets, would they still stick to their guns? Would they appeal to the Federal Sheet Commission for help blocking third party sheets? Or would they say "this isn't worth it"? They're in the business of accommodating guests, not antagonizing them. So then find a way out of this contract or just eat the termination fee. After all, if the deals are so bad, the minimum + a reasonable modern deal may break even or come out ahead. Every contract has a way out, particularly when performance goals are not met, and I'm just skeptical that an entire industry of multi-billion dollar companies got so thoroughly taken for a ride by upstart wifi installers in 2003.

Klinky 12y ago
The hotel industry is pretty fragmented. Most hotel chains are franchises run mainly by independent franchisees. The quality of hotels varies wildly depending on location, even within the same brand/chain. There isn't as much oversight or centralized management as one might think. The hotel industry is also big on low wages, high employee turnover and pushing people in and out of the door as quickly as possible. Proper implementation of wifi is an afterthought. The experience is usually better in 4-star or higher hotels, but those come at a premium.
- skuhn 12y ago
  I can't really speak to their quality, but I do find it interesting how different tiers of hotels price their in-room wifi. High end charges, low end is free or non-existent, and then there's a mid-range where it's specifically called out as a free amenity and quality is pretty decent (Kimpton, Joie de Vivre, etc.). The theory that I've seen passed around is that high end hotels know that you're good for it, and their clients are accustomed to various upcharges already. It also seems to be extremely uniform for different hotels in a chain; e.g. I have never seen a non-conformist Hyatt that doesn't charge.