# If you're going to have WiFi at your business, make it fucking work **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [August 6, 2015, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-youre-going-to-have-wifi-at-your-business-make-it-fucking-work/727118 "2015-08-06T01:24:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2015, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-youre-going-to-have-wifi-at-your-business-make-it-fucking-work/727118/21 "2015-08-06T14:55:41Z")
My favorite lunch place has free WiFi. It’s no problem to get on - the password works, and I get 5 bars of signal. The only problem is the speed (or lack of). It’s like using dial-up. I swear I could walk a letter to it’s destination faster than using email on their WiFi. I’ve given up with it - I just turn WiFi off on my iPhone and use cellular data when I eat there, because it’s so slow. I’ve mentioned it to the owner, and she knows it’s bad, but says there is nothing she can do… ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2015, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-youre-going-to-have-wifi-at-your-business-make-it-fucking-work/727118/22 "2015-08-06T15:02:11Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > And it should not require me to give you my life story with all fields required Strictly speaking, it doesn’t require you to give _your_ life story, just _a_ life story. Not suggesting anything, just saying… ---
**Author:** ![Master\_Wang-Ka](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/master_wang-ka/32/3325_2.png) [@Master\_Wang-Ka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Master_Wang-Ka)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2015, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-youre-going-to-have-wifi-at-your-business-make-it-fucking-work/727118/23 "2015-08-06T15:03:15Z")
If McDonalds, of all places, can have functional public wifi, I fail to see why any other joint that claims to offer it cannot match that. Yeah, yeah, I know, Mickey D’s is a megacorporation. But wifi is not rocket science. Put a damn router in a convenient place where the children won’t get to it, and let it go. I’ve never understood places where there IS a signal, but it’s weak enough that I’m halfway through my coffee before I can finally log on. And if your wifi is broken or out of order, put up a sign. Do not claim you have wifi, and then when it doesn’t work and I ask, I get, “Oh, it’s out of order today.” ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2015, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-youre-going-to-have-wifi-at-your-business-make-it-fucking-work/727118/24 "2015-08-06T16:24:36Z")
> [@Nikki\_Tikki\_Tavi](#): > > I’ll choose a lunch spot that has less than stellar food but offers good wifi over delicious food and no connection most days because I usually have to work during lunch. I broke up with a girl on the third date because she wanted to go to a nice restaurant, where things cost more than $3.99, that didn’t have wifi. Fuck that noise. I’ll suffer one, maybe two dates with no wifi but a third? Fuck no. That whore can go fuck herself. No chick is worth me having to go more than 30 minutes without being online. ---
**Author:** ![Debaser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3da27b/32.png) [@Debaser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Debaser)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2015, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-youre-going-to-have-wifi-at-your-business-make-it-fucking-work/727118/25 "2015-08-06T16:56:47Z")
I’m surprised to see that people actually care about wifi in public places. To me, wifi is something that you use only when you absolutely have to. At work or home it’s nice, but when out and about the only time I can recall using it was at a hotel where I didn’t have a cell signal and really needed to view something on my phone. Can I ask why people need it? Is it because you don’t have enough data? You don’t get enough cell reception at most places? You have a device that’s only wifi and doesn’t have it’s own cell signal? Are people complaining about not having a signal for their phone, tablet or laptop? ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2015, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-youre-going-to-have-wifi-at-your-business-make-it-fucking-work/727118/26 "2015-08-06T16:58:41Z")
My favorite beer bar has excellent WiFi. They also have a webpage that lists their current 30 - 40 draft selections. Heaven. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2015, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-youre-going-to-have-wifi-at-your-business-make-it-fucking-work/727118/27 "2015-08-06T16:59:45Z")
> [@Debaser](#): > > Are people complaining about not having a signal for their phone, tablet or laptop? My iPad needs WiFi. My phone is my fallback, but I prefer the larger screen. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2015, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-youre-going-to-have-wifi-at-your-business-make-it-fucking-work/727118/28 "2015-08-06T17:34:15Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > My iPad needs WiFi. My phone is my fallback, but I prefer the larger screen. That’s a bug in the iPad design. It’s just a big phone, after all. ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2015, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-youre-going-to-have-wifi-at-your-business-make-it-fucking-work/727118/29 "2015-08-06T18:18:01Z")
> [@Debaser](#): > > Can I ask why people need it? > > Is it because you don’t have enough data? > You don’t get enough cell reception at most places? > You have a device that’s only wifi and doesn’t have it’s own cell signal? > > Are people complaining about not having a signal for their phone, tablet or laptop? I have a device (laptop computer) that’s only wifi (unless you count wired connectivity; Starbucks etc doesn’t tend to offer me an ethernet cable, you know). ---
**Author:** ![Llama\_Llogophile](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@Llama\_Llogophile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Llama_Llogophile)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2015, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-youre-going-to-have-wifi-at-your-business-make-it-fucking-work/727118/30 "2015-08-06T19:00:41Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > My iPad needs WiFi. My phone is my fallback, but I prefer the larger screen. Same here. I hate hate hate internet browsing on my phone. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2015, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-youre-going-to-have-wifi-at-your-business-make-it-fucking-work/727118/31 "2015-08-06T19:02:36Z")
> [@Llama\_Llogophile](#): > > Same here. I hate hate hate internet browsing on my phone. Yeah, I have the iPhone 6, and it’s, at best, OK. Better than my 4s, but still a PITA for internet use. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2015, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-youre-going-to-have-wifi-at-your-business-make-it-fucking-work/727118/32 "2015-08-06T19:14:54Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > That’s a bug in the iPad design. It’s just a big phone, after all. It’s NOT a bug - my iPad has both WiFi and Cellular. But, it DOES cost extra. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2015, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-youre-going-to-have-wifi-at-your-business-make-it-fucking-work/727118/33 "2015-08-06T19:16:12Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Yeah, I have the iPhone 6, and it’s, at best, OK. Better than my 4s, but still a PITA for internet use. With close 4G service, I get MUCH better speed over cellular than WiFi. (iPhone 6, ATT) So, it’s not the phone, it’s the network. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2015, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-youre-going-to-have-wifi-at-your-business-make-it-fucking-work/727118/34 "2015-08-06T19:24:26Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > With close 4G service, I get MUCH better speed over cellular than WiFi. > (iPhone 6, ATT) > > So, it’s not the phone, it’s the network. I was just talking screen size. It’s OK in a pinch, but nothing like a full sized screen. ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2015, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-youre-going-to-have-wifi-at-your-business-make-it-fucking-work/727118/35 "2015-08-06T19:37:41Z")
At the airport in Istanbul the WiFi sent a code via Text message to my phone which I needed to enter in order to log in. The only problem: In Istanbul I didn’t have phone service, so I couldn’t receive texts, which is why I wanted to get onto WiFi in the first place! ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2015, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-youre-going-to-have-wifi-at-your-business-make-it-fucking-work/727118/36 "2015-08-06T19:45:50Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > I am frankly amazed people actually use the public wifi! It’s like using a public toilet, you don’t want to unless you absolutely have to. > > Unlimited data, that’s the way to go. Unlimited data doesn’t exist. If you think you have it, you are wrong. You just haven’t hit the cap yet. And you’re on some older plan. We don’t have the bandwidth in the air under the requisite frequencies to handle unlimited data. Those of us who use a lot of cellular Internet have to ration it. You also are going to get spotty coverage when you are actually inside the building, if my experience is any indication. You have to find the right spot to get the best signal. ---
**Author:** ![Rigamarole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2015, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-youre-going-to-have-wifi-at-your-business-make-it-fucking-work/727118/37 "2015-08-06T20:56:34Z")
> [@Morgenstern](#): > > I’m wondering when the first internet addiction inpatient treatment centers will appear? And will they offer free wi-fi? ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2015, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-youre-going-to-have-wifi-at-your-business-make-it-fucking-work/727118/38 "2015-08-06T21:03:06Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > Unlimited data doesn’t exist. If you think you have it, you are wrong. You just haven’t hit the cap yet. And you’re on some older plan. I have T-Mobile and my 4G data is unlimited. It gets throttled after 21GB, but that’s never actually happened to me. I’m barely using 2GB a month. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2015, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-youre-going-to-have-wifi-at-your-business-make-it-fucking-work/727118/39 "2015-08-06T21:10:03Z")
> [@Drunky\_Smurf](#): > > I broke up with a girl on the third date because she wanted to go to a nice restaurant, where things cost more than $3.99, that didn’t have wifi. Fuck that noise. I’ll suffer one, maybe two dates with no wifi but a third? Fuck no. That whore can go fuck herself. No chick is worth me having to go more than 30 minutes without being online. Yeah. What are you supposed to do while you’re eating, look at each other and talk? If I wanted a conversation I’d go home and get on Chatroulette. ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2015, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-youre-going-to-have-wifi-at-your-business-make-it-fucking-work/727118/40 "2015-08-06T22:27:02Z")
> [@Llama\_Llogophile](#): > > I’ve been a total slut for public WiFi for years. How is this putting me at risk? To my knowledge, I’ve never had a security issue. What would it take for a nefarious person to cause me harm while using my iPad on the MCDonalds WiFi? Do you do banking from your iPad? Or access the Internet? Your passwords are exposed. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-youre-going-to-have-wifi-at-your-business-make-it-fucking-work/727118.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-youre-going-to-have-wifi-at-your-business-make-it-fucking-work/727118.md?page=3)