Hotspots in Toronto.

 
If you've ever noticed the Hotspot sticker at your local Starbucks, Second Cup, Timothy's or other coffee shop and figured how much they charge, that symbol should make you feel faint, sick or bring up images of paying $5 for a $0.50 coffee. I'll spare you the research - they charge $10/hr for access, or optionally about $40/month.

They should have thought that pricing strategy through, because they have a great opportunity just waiting to be exploited. They are currently partnered (if not owned) by Bell, Fido, Rogers and Telus. To pay for your service, you must actually pay through your providers website. Ya, through their website. Which means they have the opportunity to push advertising, PERSONALIZED ADVERTISING (because they know EXACTLY who you are), to you.

Wouldn't it be worth $5 to get 15-30 seconds of guaranteed facetime with a customer? They could easily push an add about US roaming packages and family plans to me, with a high chance of conversion. At the very least I would click-through to read more about it. I'm at a coffee shop, I've got nothing but time on my hands. Isn't that well worth subsidizing the internet access fee?