Dragoncon Livejournal Community Archive

You know, I came across some discussion regarding internet access at the Marriott, and wanted to put a bug in everyone's ear that if you're staying there (or even going to just be there a lot) there is a less expensive internet alternative than using the regular $12.95 per day service.  

Rather than do that, you could sign up prior to D*C for internet access via Boingo, which offers a few different plans, depending on what type of device you're using:

Laptop only:  $9.95/month
Mobile Wifi device (iphone, ipod Touch, etc.):  $7.95/month
Wi-Fi Combo (laptop AND smartphone/mobile wifi device): $17.90/month

You get the wired access in the room as part of this plan, as well as the wi-fi in public areas.  There's no contract, and you can cancel anytime you want.  I figure even for people only there for a day, you're still going to save money, so just wanted to pass that along.  I don't believe any of the other host hotel sites offer Boingo access besides the Marriott Marquis yet, but I'll post if I hear about expansions to any of the other host or overflow hotels.  (They list that the Wyndham Garden Hotel as also being on Boingo, but if I recall they recently got sold off.  Feel free to comment and let me know if I'm wrong on that.)

ETA:  Since a commenter brought it up below, I'll also mention that it appears that there is Boingo service at pretty much every major airport in the U.S. (no,  haven't checked every single one, but it sure looks like it), and a heck of a lot of them internationally as well.  So, you could also use the service on your way to and from thecon if you're flying in!  Woo hoo!

ETA2: Thought I would add some comments regarding my post D*C experience using Boingo.  While some had commented they had issues in past years, I have to say that my Boingo experience was pretty ideal all around!  I was able to use WiFi internet access via Boingo all weekend from my room on both my netbook and my iPod Touch.  Generally, when you first login, you would need to login as follows:

1. Connect to the "ibahn" wireless network on your laptop or mobile device. (Or plug in the wired connection in your room).
2. Open your browser which should automatically pop up with the Marriott's internet page.
3. Choose the "partner" selection on the right hand side of the page (left side is for daily access through the Marriott's plan at $12.95 a day....this is not what you want).
4. Select Boingo as the partner, and then enter your login ID and password.

You should only have to do these steps once.  Then, you just connect as normal using your Boingo software app on your laptop or mobile device.  You may have to re-connect periodically using your Boingo application software, as it does log you out if you remain inactive for awhile.