Social media site Facebook and global networking company Netgear have teamed up to expand the already existing ‘like’ for free Wi-Fi system.
According to allfacebook.com, the companies announced the partnership at 2014 International CES in Las Vegas. Small business owners can now use select Netgear routers to activate a Wi-Fi hotspot for its customers whilst trying to boost activity on their Facebook pages.
The service, which was first implemented with Cisco last year, encourages visitors to ‘like’ the place they are at and check in on Facebook. This in turn will allow them to continue to use the free Wi-Fi available. Facebook benefits as well, because unless the user sets to post to the ‘only me’ privacy setting, the user will be displaying to their friends where they currently are.
Of course business owners don’t have to force people to like their page to gain access, they can just choose to provide their Wi-Fi codes separately or set the network to have no restrictions at all. It is left entirely up to them.
David Henry, vice president of product management for Netgear retail business, explained in a press release why they’re choosing to partner with Facebook.
“We’re adding the Facebook Wi-Fi login to our newest line of premium dual band 802.11ac routers to encourage merchants to take better advantage of this benefit they’re already offering,” he said. “They develop a stronger bond with customers and extend brand visibility with each check-in that appears in Facebook news feed,” reports nj.com.
