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Comment by lucb1e | Hacker News Reader

In case anyone can't find the Netherlands, I could understand why: http://i.snag.gy/7vbiZ.jpg

This also explains why I'm so frustrated with WiFi abroad: I probably got spoiled here. Here we can find WiFi in the most unlikely of places (e.g. supermarkets, buses); in Germany you can find one in a coffee shop if you're lucky, but that one is probably paid as well, just like all the other ones.

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What also hinders open Wi-Fi adoption in Germany is a law called "Störerhaftung", which basically states that the owner of the Wi-Fi is liable for all damages that users of his Wi-Fi do, for example filesharing, hacking, whatever. Keeping track of all users is not an option that all free Wi-Fi operators have. I'm sure other countries have similar laws. Do The Netherlands not have such a law?

I just came across Airfy which apparently gets around this by tunnelling (I assume) all traffic and taking all legal liability and risk. I've also read that this Stoererhaftung law is set to change this year, specifically to allow things like free WiFi in businesses.

IIRC there is an exception in the law for ISPs and Airfy registered as an ISP.

We're starting to see similar things in the UK. All our local bus companies now provide WiFi (and one has USB charging ports at every seat as well), and most large chain shops will provide WiFi. I never really use them myself as I have a pretty good data call on my mobile plan, but I know of some people who've dropped data entirely because they can just use WiFi.

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