You bring up a good point. True, you can currently "steal" (or "borrow" without permission?) access from the 90% of the private Wi-Fi setups that are not properly protected, but I wouldn't stake my investment on this being a sustainable business model. I don't think consumers who pay $50+ per month are willing to share their access with strangers willingly. And my point is even if you succeed in "taking" this access without permission, it still not free. Someone is paying for it.
I regularly travel w/ my Wi-Fi enabled laptop and am always trying to connect for free. I usually see 2-3 networks in the public places that I am in, but I have yet to be able to access one without permission. You can not connect at universities, Starbucks, McDonlads, T-Mobile Hotspots, Verizon Hotspots, Airports, Hotels, etc without a valid and paid for account - far from free.
I have never suggested that Wi-Fi and VoIP are not important parts of telecommunications futures - they are. But there is a large misconception (intentionally caused by large telecom players, as well as CLYW)that these Wi-Fi networks are free, that they provide Internet access at 11 - 56 Mbps, and that their coverage will rival cellular. All three of these claims are false.
AI
