McDonalds Wifi ?

[walkingsoul]

I parked in MacDonalds today to try out the wifi with my setup.
It seems even though I am on a laptop I get asked to enter a mobile phone number so they can text me a code!
I did'nt want to use the Mrs contract mobile as I am unsure what they do with the numbers.

Does anyone have any information on using the MacDonalds wifi?
What happens when you put in a mobile number for example?
If I am in France or Switzerland how does it work there?
How much data can you use?
For example could you watch catchup TV?

Thanks.

 

[Northerner]

I parked in MacDonalds today to try out the wifi with my setup.
It seems even though I am on a laptop I get asked to enter a mobile phone number so they can text me a code!
I did'nt want to use the Mrs contract mobile as I am unsure what they do with the numbers.

Does anyone have any information on using the MacDonalds wifi?
What happens when you put in a mobile number for example?
If I am in France or Switzerland how does it work there?
How much data can you use?
For example could you watch catchup TV?

Thanks.

I've used it in France and wasn't asked for a phone number but it wouldn't worry me if they did, what can they do with apart from send you the odd text message? And it's McDonald's, not some personal injury lawyers.

You have to ask yourself though whether using a free McDonald's wi-fi service to watch catch-up TV is the right thing to do. Is it fair to hog bandwidth and perhaps stop genuine customers from using it? I used it to check email, visit the odd web site and it worked very well, although I suspect that they'll have ways of stopping what may be considered excessive and unfair use.

 

[walkingsoul]

I've used it in France and wasn't asked for a phone number but it wouldn't worry me if they did, what can they do with apart from send you the odd text message? And it's McDonald's, not some personal injury lawyers.

You have to ask yourself though whether using a free McDonald's wi-fi service to watch catch-up TV is the right thing to do. Is it fair to hog bandwidth and perhaps stop genuine customers from using it? I used it to check email, visit the odd web site and it worked very well, although I suspect that they'll have ways of stopping what may be considered excessive and unfair use.

Oh right I thought Mc D's had a powerfull setup in order to handle all the connections.
I dont fancy sales and marketing being sent to my mobile.
thanks.

 

[ellisboy]

I've never been asked either,used iPad & iPhone at Christmas.

 

[Northerner]

Oh right I thought Mc D's had a powerfull setup in order to handle all the connections.
I dont fancy sales and marketing being sent to my mobile.
thanks.

They may well have a decent set up, but of course if everyone starts downloading movies or watching TV it will soon crash or be so slow as to be useless for anyone. I wouldn't worry too much about giving a mobile number to large respectable companies. There are regulations that they have to adhere to regarding spam mail and I've never had a problem after I've asked one of them to stop.

I think that the most important thing that we can all have is an Internet booster for our laptops so that you can pick up wi-fi from a greater distance. I was sitting outside a supermarket in Calais a few weeks ago and spotted McD's over the road. I set up my laptop and booster and couldn't get a signal from McDonald's but the supermarket was listed! I had to enrol and give a user name and password but that will now enable me to use their free wi-fi all over France.

Just like Tesco in the UK I think that more and more large retailers will be offering free wi-fi but it's aimed at in-store users so a booster to enable you to get it on the car park is essential.

If memory serves the supermarket chain was Auchan.

 

[Firefox]

The mobile number is to prevent abuse of the service, I'm sure, not for spam purposes.

Some people tap into these free wifi's in order to conduct hacking or access illegal materials so a phone number or email at least some contact for the operator to dissuade people from abusing the service.

 

[Deleted member 3011]

Switzerland has laws that prohibit unfettered access to any wifi so you have to phone a number and they text you a code and you get an hour or whatever.

Nothing at all sinister about that.

Spain requires a purchase and you get 40 minutes.

US doesn't give a damn and Australia free and no strings either.

Oh right I thought Mc D's had a powerfull setup in order to handle all the connections.

No, they often use a local or regional third party provider system and the service can be very slow and flakey. Even worse if people misuse it.