JiWire has launched a Hotspot Advertising Network that would run ads on login screens and while your surfing. JiWire appears to be taking a page from MetroFi which is building out city-wide networks based on an advertising model.
Here’s an example of JiWire’s Ad Banner and how DailyWireless looks with MetroFi’s Ad Banner.
JiWire’s ad platform will emphasize geolocation ads. Knowing whether users are at the airport or downtown will enable advertisers to deliver the most appropriate messages and therefore increase their ROI. Other ad-supported networks include AnchorFree , FreeFi, PerfTech, Front Porch, Google WiFi and MetroFi, which is offering to build “free” city-wide municipal networks in their RFPs.
MetroFi, offers two tiers; a “free” tier (with integrated advertising) and a pay tier for $19.95/month (without ads). Free wireless Internet access is available in Cupertino, Santa Clara and Sunnyvale, California with banner advertising.
Presumably, that would require something close to $9/mo in banner ad revenue per person, per month to break even. That might equate to 30 clickthoughs/mo (@$.30 each), perhaps targeted to the neighborhood. If 100,000 people subscribed to the “free” service that would mean that MetroFi might plan on generating close to $900,000 a month in ad revenue. The ad-driven business model has yet to be proven.
Fractals of Change explains MetroFi’s ad banner technique. Synaptx, located in Mountain View, works with MetroFi on the advertising technology. The City of Alexandria launched Wireless Alexandria last year (See DW: Constant Gardener). They provide free internet access subsidized via ads.
The Public Wi-Fi Project, a collaboration between communities and merchants, uses a proprietary Internet Gateway developed by the Public Wi-Fi Project and utilized by MetroFi. A routing system at the IP level, similar to a captive portal technology, “captures” every page.
Google WiFi will provide a free, downloadable VPN client for added security.
Most public wi-fi hotspots are not very secure making your computer and communications vulnerable to hackers and security breaches, says AnchorFree. Their Hotspot Shield gives you a simple, free solution for accessing free wi-fi hotspots with a secure VPN connection.
AnchorFree says their Hotspot Shield will:
- Ensure your computer remains anonymous and private when logged on to free wi-fi hotspots.
- Auto encrypts and protects inbound / outbound Internet traffic (email, instant messaging, VoIP calls, web surfing, etc.) as it’s transmitted thru the air, using wi-fi.
- Thwarts wireless hackers keeping your personal data locked down while using an unsecured hotspot.
- Provides professional security and protection without expensive or complex requirements.
AnchorFree acquired MetroFreeFi.com in the Bay Area, and is building an affiliate network of free locations. A free VPN client would seem to be a significant advantage.
Glenn Fleishman has written extensively about hotspot VPN services such as JiWire’s SpotLock service ($39/yr), personalVPN ($39/yr), publicVPN.com ($59/yr) and HotSpotVPN.com ($8.88/mo).
Free VPN from AnchorFree, as WiFi Planet notes, is compelling. Same deal with Free WiFi.
Perhaps “free” video games are next. Today, Massive, the wholly owned subsidiary of Microsoft, announced that it has launched interactive in-video-game ads. With 37 game publishers and more than 100 titles, the Massive Network offers advertisers the ability to reach an aggregated gaming audience in real time across multiple platforms.
Ad Client Software integrates into video game engines at the development stage and handles all connections and communications with Massive’s Ad Server, allowing the game to dynamically download advertising into the game. Advertisers can target gamers with different messages based upon geography and time of day. The worldwide market for dynamically served advertisements into video games is projected to grow to $2.5 billion in revenues by 2010.
Double Fusion, Massive, and InGame Adverting are inhaling ad dollars, says Adotas.
Of course the downside of “free” is you could get overwhelmed with ads. With your client, your ISP and your hotspot operator all potentially throwing ads at you, who would want to go online.
Maybe it’s a plot by Homeland Security.
