Ericsson Predicts Swift End For Wi-Fi Hotspots

mikesd81 writes "Mobile technology group Ericsson is predicting a 'swift end' for Wi-Fi hotspots, according to the PC Pro site. Johan Bergendahl, the company's chief marketing officer, offers this analysis: 'The rapid growth of mobile broadband is set to make Wi-Fi hotspots irrelevant ... Hotspots at places like Starbucks are becoming the telephone boxes of the broadband era. Industry will have to solve the international roaming issue ... Carriers need to work together. It can be as simple as paying 10 euros per day when you are abroad.' He also pointed to a lack of coverage as a potential hindrance to the growth of the technology."

no more starbucks wireless

[Anonymous Coward]

Now people will just go to Starbucks for the overpriced foo-foo coffees.

Simple, right...

[Anonymous Coward]

It can be as simple as paying 10 euros per day when you are abroad.'

Ten Euros a day? Well gee, at that low low price, Wi-Fi hotspots don't stand a chance! /sarcasm

And pigs will fly out of my butt

[iPaul]

Yes, you could pay out the nose for a 200k mobile broadband account (on a good day) or you could pop in to your local sandwich shop for free and use their broadband (which might be tied into a 5/2 Mbps cable modem). Hmmm...

Re:Quite the opposite

[Anonymous Coward]

there isn't a -1 disagree modifier for a reason, -1 offtopic and -1 troll aren't valid substitutes.

Duh, that's what the -1 Overrated moderation is for.

Comment removed

[account_deleted]

Comment removed based on user account deletion

This just in

[tvon]

Company claims rival technology is no good, causes cancer, and impregnates young women.

Re:no more starbucks wireless

[Midnight Thunder]

Now people will just go to Starbucks for the overpriced foo-foo coffees.

Customer: Could I have small coffee
Server: That would be a mezzo, sir
Customer: what the f*ck? mezzo is medium, piccolo is small
Server: sir mezzo means small
Customer: never mind, I'll a medium coffe
Server: That would be a grande, sir
Customer: Whatever, just give me a medium coffee that is actually a small.

foo-foo coffees and no grasp of language.

Re:no more starbucks wireless

[TheLink]

"I want whatever is the middle size"

Careful with that though, many companies realize people do that - that's why they keep making really huge burgers (and drinks).

So the big burgers start becoming middle.

And _your_ middle starts becoming big ;).