Free Wi-Fi for Facebook users: Coming soon

PTI Updated - March 12, 2018 at 02:41 PM.

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. File Photo.

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.

Published on November 5, 2012 10:54