How does boingo make money

But the monetization strategy around those networks has changed dramatically. Hagan: So typically the venue will give us long-term rights. They may pay us to operate a network. The cellular carriers may pay us. And then we went into other types of venues, and we figured out other ways to monetize.

We have advertising. We have partners pay us for access. I mean it just is. Hagan: So no smartphones. Most PCs did not have a Wi-Fi chip inside. Hagan: I know. We were very proud of the service, but it was a different time, right? So being able to hold up your laptop, not have it connected to any — no cords, no wires, but connected to the Internet was mind blowing.

And again we launched before Wi-Fi chips were in laptops. We launched before it was even called Wi-Fi. It was still Ryssdal: How much do you worry about the FCC and things like net neutrality and regulation of your industry? So we let the big guys fight out those kind of issues. We try to stay neutral and in between.

You serve something like a billion people right? Hagan: We do. These are huge companies compared to us. Ryssdal: Look out another 15 years for me. What does this space look like? Hagan: So the device I think is going to change pretty dramatically. I think we all think, well, the smartphone, where could this possibly go?

So you already see a little bit with the Apple Watch, right? Now you see wearables. Our CTO has a chip embedded into his wrist. Hagan: Yeah. So when he comes into the parking lot he hangs out is his hand and it opens the gate.

Our mission at Marketplace is to raise the economic intelligence of the country. That brought back airports such as Minneapolis-St. Analysts are more bullish about its move into military bases through its February acquisition of a firm called Endeka.

As long as advertisers are footing the bill, airports no longer care which infrastructure vendor gets the deal. Throwing open a contract to new players brings the extra benefit of higher-speed networking gear. Boingo still has tricks up its sleeve. Who would likely foot the bill? Follow me on Forbes , Twitter and Facebook for more tech coverage in startups, ad tech, enterprise software and venture capital. This is a BETA experience. You may opt-out by clicking here.

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