Germany To Finally Get Free Public Wi-Fi

[Megalith]

Because of piracy concerns, free hotspots supposedly don’t exist in Germany. But now an agreement that relinquishes responsibility from providers should make free Wi-Fi ubiquitous.

In an age when almost everyone carries a smartphone, the absence of such free hotspots can appear to be an aberration in a country that is known for its technological prowess. But a new government deal may change all that, as it aims to tackle the root of the problem—by exonerating the connection's provider of fraudulent usage by others. The snag has been Germany's tough rules to crack down on online piracy, with high fines for illegally downloading music and films. No one wants to run the risk of exposing their Wi-Fi connection to possible misuse, a fear that has turned Germany into a hotspot desert.

 

[Domingo]

In my experience, Germany has Wi-Fi everywhere, but it's all paid and sponsored via the various cellular carriers. Either that or it's hidden. Unlike over here in the US, establishments have to tell you the (hidden) name of the network and the password.
There is free Wi-Fi around in a few places (like central Munich) but it's kind of unusual and it limits you to something like 20 minutes a day.

 

[Ultima99]

We don't ban cars even though we know accidents with fatalities aren't just likely, but guaranteed, right?

 

[westrock2000]

We don't ban cars even though we know accidents with fatalities aren't just likely, but guaranteed, right?

That's because cars carry that worthless crap we call tangible goods and children. We can just make more. That stuff is expendable. But the Internet.....the Internet carries intellectual property. Intellectual property is important and special. And we should cherish and protect it whenever possible. If banning the WiFi's saves the life of just one intellectual property, isn't it worth it? Did you know 95% of Americans agree that we need to have some common sense wifi control laws in this country? It's just common sense.