Cisco
Systems and Facebook said they will work with big businesses such as
hotels and retailers to provide free wireless internet access to
consumers who sign in using a Facebook log-in.
The
companies have been testing the concept with smaller businesses for
about a year but will work together to support bigger companies that
want to improve customer loyalty or learn more about their customers
through offering free Wi-Fi.
Rather than
having to get the provider's Wi-Fi access code, a visitor to a coffee
shop or a hotel, for example, could connect to the Wi-Fi system simply
by logging onto Facebook and "checking in" to the business' Facebook
page.
Cisco chief executive officer John
Chambers, in a speech at the Interop technology conference in New York,
said the system would allow retailers to deliver tailored promotions or
information to consumers who check in through Facebook when they arrive
at a store.
Cisco said some customers of its Connected Mobile Experience Wi-Fi technology are currently testing the system.
While
Cisco is looking to sell network equipment, Facebook is joining
arch-rival Google in helping its users connect directly to the Internet,
which increases the amount of time they spend on the companies'
advertising-supported websites.
Facebook's
Wi-Fi service also helps it forge closer relationships with corporations
by providing the businesses anonymous demographic data about Facebook
users coming through their doors.
Facebook is not funding the Wi-Fi effort, and merchants would pay for the network equipment and broadband costs.
Earlier
this year, Google announced plans to bring free wireless internet
access to 7,000 Starbucks cafes across the United States.
As
part of that deal, Google will also help develop a version of the
Starbucks Digital Network, putting it in a strong position to offer
targeted advertising and promote the music and other media the coffee
retailer sells.
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