TAM 8 - Boingo

[Chris H]

Jeff Wagg posted on Twitter earlier that TAM attendees can get access to Boingo. Turns out that Boingo is some kind of WiFi service and not, as the name implies, a jumping castle themed strip joint. :blush:

Anyone a member? Will it be useful to us internationals, or do you need to sign up for a plan/contract?

[Chris H]

Boingo must be searching for mentions of themselves on Twitter, as I just received this tweet from them about South Point web access.

Unfortunately, that hotel will no longer be part of our roaming network as of July 1st. We're not happy about it.

[phyz]

Southpoint's reason for booting Boingo? Do the rough math for potential TAM Wifi revenue:
1000 x $13 x 4 = $52,000

Even half of that would be a nice haul for an extended weekend.

[Horatius]

Well, not that it's any use now, but I think you can sign up for time blocks, for a fixed fee. I'm not sure how much it is though.

It might be useful for when you're in an airport, as they seem to have coverage in most of the airports I go to. Note that the Vegas airport had free wi-fi last year,though.

[Chris H]

Well, not that it's any use now, but I think you can sign up for time blocks, for a fixed fee. I'm not sure how much it is though.

It might be useful for when you're in an airport, as they seem to have coverage in most of the airports I go to. Note that the Vegas airport had free wi-fi last year,though.


Yeah, it was looking like a good idea. I'm off to the MGM Grand after TAM, and then a few days in LA, so this would have been a good option.

What's the deal with the South Point Interwebs? If I pay my $15 per day, can I use it on both my laptop and my iPod? Or will I have to buy another subscription for two devices?

[SkepticScott]

Does anyone know if they have free wired Internet access in their rooms?

According to http://www.wififreespot.com/nev.html McDonald's have free wi-fi, and there's one about 2 miles away, east on Silverado Ranch.
There are also lists at http://www.vegas4locals.com/freewifi.html and http://www.lasvegas-how-to.com/las-vegas-free-wifi.php .

http://www.lasvegas-how-to.com/las-vegas-free-wifi.php says "the average cost per day for wi-fi access at your Las Vegas hotel room is $12." and "There is no way around this fee because they add it to your bill once you ask for access.".

[Horatius]

What's the deal with the South Point Interwebs? If I pay my $15 per day, can I use it on both my laptop and my iPod? Or will I have to buy another subscription for two devices?



I think the code they give you will work for both, but the signal in the conference room wasn't good enough for my iPod to pick up well last year.

[brainlesssteel]

Does anyone know if they have free wired Internet access in their rooms?

No, they do not. Unless that's changed since last year (which I doubt).

[brainlesssteel]

Rooted Android phone + 3G + Wifi Tether = my solution to the Wifi problem at South Point. It ain't perfect, but I find that there's so much else going on at TAM that I don't find much time for the Internet anyway. My e-mail goes to my phone anyway so I don't need to use the computer to check it.

I suppose I could be coerced (bribes in the form of alcoholic beverages work incredibly well for this) to share my impromptu hotspot with friends.

[Sc00ter]

I think the code they give you will work for both, but the signal in the conference room wasn't good enough for my iPod to pick up well last year.

I used my Nokia N810 and my Netbook last year. I got double billed. It's PER DEVICE, not per room.

Keep that in mind.

Also, it's unclear if your room wifi will work in the conference room. I know it did last year, but I guess that was an error in their design. No words if it will or not this year, if you call the hotel and ask they are very vague about it.

[Sc00ter]

Does anyone know if they have free wired Internet access in their rooms?

Yes they had wired access (through the phone), but it wasn't free.

[Sc00ter]

I used my Nokia N810 and my Netbook last year. I got double billed. It's PER DEVICE, not per room.

Keep that in mind.

Also, it's unclear if your room wifi will work in the conference room. I know it did last year, but I guess that was an error in their design. No words if it will or not this year, if you call the hotel and ask they are very vague about it.

Oh, Also, keep in mind that the in-room wifi isn't to bad, but last year the conference room wifi (if you signed up for it in the conference room) was $25/HOUR. Yes, $25 per HOUR.

Please make sure you know what you're signing up for if you sign up for wifi on your browser.

[Chris H]

Oh, Also, keep in mind that the in-room wifi isn't to bad, but last year the conference room wifi (if you signed up for it in the conference room) was $25/HOUR. Yes, $25 per HOUR.

Please make sure you know what you're signing up for if you sign up for wifi on your browser.


Good advice. Would it be cheaper to think about buying a WiFi dongle for my laptop? Surely there would be one available with a few gig of data for under $150? Or are they all locked into contracts?

[Horatius]

Good advice. Would it be cheaper to think about buying a WiFi dongle for my laptop? Surely there would be one available with a few gig of data for under $150? Or are they all locked into contracts?



I know it's possible to get such things, as I'll be borrowing one from my friend for this trip. I'm not sure how it works, but it's cheap enough that it's worth it to him to have it for his every-two-or-three-months trips to the US.

[hcmom]

I know Verizon's MiFi worked last year.