wireless@sg embedded banner ads when surfing webpages

[alanwoo]

Hi,

I havent do up a details verification, but I have receive few calls from my customer that when they use "wireless@sg" free wireless broadband to surf their webpages hosted on my server, there is an additional banner advertisement being embedded in the bottom of their webpages. I have check the same webpages on other xDSL connection but no such banner appear, thus it maybe cause by the free wireless broadband.

Anyone have similar experience ?

Is the free wireless service provider legally allow to do so ? by embedded banner ads on the bottom of the other people webpages ?

From my understand, Singapore government have fork out 2.5million for this project, to provide free wireless broadband for 2 year period.

I still try to find out more information meantime.

Alan

[tanfwc]

I do not have such problem when using Wireless@SG. Your client might have spyware or other software in their computer to produce the banner?

[miltongoh]

No problem surfing all sites using Wireless@SG, any specific access point area is having that problem from your clients?

[alanwoo]

Hi,

Sorry, I have not verify it personally, information maybe misleading, my client feedback the advertisement banner is advertise "Creative" products and is using Qmax provider, that why a little bit suspicious here.

My client webpages is full flash, so he is confirmed that he didnt put such banner up.

Alan

[Sghost]

There is a creative banner at the bottom of the website while on Qala wireless@sg.

[bangky]

it's possible that the proxy server rewrites the page to add an ad.
not really a nice thing to do, but oh well. for free wifi, no fish prawn also can lah.

[alanwoo]

The press release from IDA regarding the free wireless@sg
http://www.ida.gov.sg/doc/News%20and...eet_061010.pdf

The "basic" service should be "FREE", and the provider can make money from providing "premium" services.

IDA even prepare to fork out up to 30million to fund this project, thus, getting additional revenue from the basic FREE service by adding banner ads is really no good.

Alan

[djchris]

I encounter before...I think it was a singnet wireless@sg access point..

[dennis]

i encountered it before too, but not sure which wireless point, but cfm is in town...

[CasH]

i also got this when i am at tampines mart mac

[Darylngch]

Originally Posted by alanwoo

Hi,

Sorry, I have not verify it personally, information maybe misleading, my client feedback the advertisement banner is advertise "Creative" products and is using Qmax provider, that why a little bit suspicious here.

My client webpages is full flash, so he is confirmed that he didnt put such banner up.

Alan

I think there are no proper rules on advertisement here. In fact, this happens overseas, in the US and UK. THere are 'free' Wi-Fi, but there are ads too. So, i suppose Qmax is trying to follow the UK and US system which has worked for years.

[alanwoo]

There is 2 area of concern.

1. Provider should clearly tell the free wireless user that banner ads will be place to the website when end-user accessing it, and properly clearly indicated it beside the banner ads, this should reduce the number of end-user call to hosting company to verify why such a banner appear at the bottom of their webpage.

2. If the provider is using their own money to fund this project, yes, I agree they are allowed to placing banner ads to recover their cost, but this project is co-funded by IDA up to 30million of the tax payer money, and there is options for the provider to sell premium services to make money, thus, putting additional ads on the basic free service is really not a good idea.