News Business Facebook tests free Wi-Fi hot spots in exchange for check-ins

Facebook tests free Wi-Fi hot spots in exchange for check-ins

Washington, Nov 5: Facebook users, rejoice! Your days of repeatedly asking for Wi-Fi passwords at coffee-shops may soon be over.The social networking website is testing a new Wi-Fi hot spot service for local businesses that

facebook tests free wi fi hot spots in exchange for check ins facebook tests free wi fi hot spots in exchange for check ins
Washington, Nov 5: Facebook users, rejoice! Your days of repeatedly asking for Wi-Fi passwords at coffee-shops may soon be over.



The social networking website is testing a new Wi-Fi hot spot service for local businesses that grants users free Internet access if they do a Facebook check-in.

Businesses would provide the access via a Facebook router that directs customers to its Facebook page once users check in, the ‘Discovery News' reported.

“We are currently running a small test with a few local businesses of a Wi-Fi router that is designed to offer a quick and easy way to access free Wi-Fi after checking in on Facebook,” the Company confirmed to Inside Facebook.

“When you access Facebook Wi-Fi by checking in, you are directed to your local business's Facebook Page,” it said.

Developer Tom Waddington is credited with discovering the test when he found a new entry called “social wi-fi” in the “Like sources” section of the Insights API.

While businesses would still provide the Internet access, Facebook would provide a router. Page owners would be able to monitor how many new ‘Likes' the page received from those who used the Wi-Fi service.

Visitors who do not want to jump through the Facebook hoop could still access the network via a password from the business, the report said.

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