Digitalization in Bonn Wi-Fi desert in the city
Bonn · Those looking for free Wi-Fi networks in Bonn will come up empty. Most networks are password protected or do not function properly. Attempts at progress are slow and expensive.
Those looking for Internet in Bonn’s inner city are quick to notice: Bonn is a Wi-Fi desert, just like many other cities in Germany. If you are still eager to try and find freely accessible Wi-Fi, be sure to bring a lot of patience and keep your wits about you. “Bonn is still at the very beginning,” says Johannes Mirus, a digital consultant who also blogs about digitalization in Bonn. Out and about with a laptop and a Smartphone, the city was put to the test by Mirus and a General Anzeiger reporter.
At Marktplatz, there are around a dozen Wi-Fi networks available; most however, are password protected. The Deutsche Post offers free access, but after 10 minutes of failed attempts to log in, GA Reporter Andreas Dyck and Mirus gave up. “Sadly, this is something that happens to me quite often,” laments Mirus. The team tried to log into the 30-minutes-free Telekom network, but this also failed or the connection only lasted only a few moments. Many other networks around town in cafes or shops require the customer to input a password.
With a new Telemediengesetz (German Teleservices Act) passed in May, the political parties CDU and SPD showed their intent to strengthen the free Wi-Fi cause in Germany. This was supposed to stop users from logging into private networks without permission. Activists like the Digital Gesellschaft (Digital Society) argue, however, that this doesn’t include any legal security for those with open networks. This was also criticized by the German Federal Assembly.
The new laws under the Act are meant to result in more private businesses, cafes and restaurants offering access to their Wi-Fi networks. Simon Müller, a 35-year-old computer scientist and member of the Freifunk-Initiative (Free Network Initiative) discourages such practices, referencing so-called “provider privilege.” Freifunk-Initiative members are opening their networks to let in potential users while protecting themselves from being held responsible for a user’s unlawful behavior.
Müller, however remains skeptical: “I think that Bonn is mostly a Wi-Fi desert, and that won’t change so quickly.” Bonn lacks the funds to offer free Wi-Fi all over the city. Such networks cost 1500 euros or more- for a single location.
This is especially detrimental for tourists. 20-year-old Sija, visiting Bonn from Canada explains that her experiences with Wi-Fi here were not positive. “It’s just terrible, and when there is a network, it never really works.” As a tourist in a foreign city, you are mostly dependent on Wi-Fi due to high international data roaming costs. “I am totally disillusioned,” adds Johannes Mirus. “I thought we would be a little further along in 2016.” (Orig text: Andreas Dyck, Translation: Geena Kloeppel)
