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Free wifi for tourists in Budapest – would it be worth it?
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Offering free wifi in big cities has been a hot topic ever since wifi became a thing. Now, the subject resurfaced in connection with Budapest where there are plans to expand the 800 wifi hotspots that were established for the FINA World Championships. However, we have to ask whether it would be worth it just to make tourists happy.
According to Index, creating the system would cost about 50 million forints (155 408 EUR), but the annual upkeep would cost about 450 million forints (1.4 million EUR) – all coming from public finances. According to experts, most of the money would go to internet service providers, and the spots (like posts and columns where the hotspots would be) also require a large sum. The actual maintenance is only about 10-15% of the overall amount.
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Would tourists even use it?
Pixabay / Illustration
The idea is similar to how free wifi services work in airports, for example. You have to give your email address in exchange for the service, and they show ads on the registration page. However, those who use the internet out and about in the city usually have a specific reason for it and only stay on the registration page for a few seconds. Add to this the fact that most people automatically delete emails sent as ads or for marketing purposes.
In order for the service to break even, the ads would have to bring a profit of over one million forints (3 108 EUR) every day.
Unlike in airports, it is also not true that people would have free time on their hands – they are sightseeing and exploring the city, so they have better things to do than look at ads on their phones. Not to mention that free wifi zones end somewhere, too, and it can be really frustrating when your internet connection is suddenly lost. But what do you do in this case? Probably go to the next Starbucks you spot so that you can enjoy a secure internet connection and have a refreshing beverage at the same time.