The Land of Free WiFi: Huntsville, Alabama
The VAR Guy is impressed with Tom Perry. As the head of IT for the Huntsville (Alabama) airport, Perry made a strategic decision. Instead of launching a paid WiFi service, he built a free WiFi network for travelers. Here’s why.
During the typical trip, business travelers are forced to pay for WiFi access across multiple hotels and airports. The process can be frustrating and expensive — as we all know.
Perry’s goal, in stark contrast, was to give travelers a “great first impression” or “last impression” with Huntsville as a technology center.
Huntsville is home to NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center (7,200 employees), ADTRAN (the networking company, 1,700 employees) and other tech-oriented organizations.
Not by coincidence, Perry leveraged ADTRAN WiFi solutions to build the airport’s wireless network. The VAR Guy plans to give it a try before his flight home Wednesday.
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Update: A regional bank in Tennessee has also introduced free WiFi in their branch locations. Yes, this is another ADTRAN customer.
Huntsville also offers free WiFi in Big Spring Park downtown, so it is a great way to get some work done on a sunny day.
There is an hour or two time limit to keep cyber bums out, I guess, but it is a helpful touch.
Mike: The VAR Guy is looking forward to visiting again. Both ADTRAN and Digium caught his attention… … And the free WiFi actually worked. A rare feat in many public places.