For journalists, Wi-fi provides an internet connection anywhere around the conference centre without the need to plug in. That means, for example, that reporters do not have to work in the press room and photographers can email images straight from the conference floor.
Wi-fi - short for wireless fidelity - is a wireless broadband internet connection. Laptops within range of a Wi-fi network, and with the necessary hardware installed, will detect the local network and allow the user to log on to the web.
Most new laptops have the necessary Wi-fi card installed. Wi-fi cards can be installed in older PCs to make them useable, though some Wi-fi providers will loan or sell Wi-fi cards on site and also provide technical support. Wi-fi cards for Mac are branded as 'airport' cards and are available to order.
Journalists at the Brighton Centre, which recently hosted the annual Trades Union Congress and The Liberal Democrats conference, benefited from the centre's established Wi-fi network - also know as a 'hotspot'. Operated by Hampshire-based Wi-fi provider FreeLAN, users can pre-book connection for £99 for up to two weeks, or use the 'pay as you go' service for £3 per half hour.
FreeLAN estimates there are around 20-30 commercial Wi-fi providers around the UK, but the number is growing. There are also many free Wi-fi hotspots around the country, although these networks are often slower and less reliable.
Jason Beattie, chief political correspondent for The Scotsman, used Wi-fi for the first time during the Liberal Democrat conference. Despite a few initial problems setting up the connection, he was keen to experiment with the new technology.
"I'm glad that the company has decided to experiment with Wi-fi," he told dotJournalism.
"I've been using it to send copy back to the newspaper.
"But I'm a bit sceptical about endorsing this service yet because I haven't had enough experience of it. And at the moment I don't think it's as fast as the wire."
Both journalists we spoke to had experienced problems setting up the connection but, once established, the service was excellent. One photojournalist described the connection as 'awesome' after transferring a 3mb image in less than five seconds.
Brighton, which has a high proportion of media-related businesses, has been slightly more organised than the rest of the country. Both the Labour party and Conservative press offices have stated that there will be no Wi-fi access at either conference this year.
NTL currently dominates the conference broadband market, charging journalists and delegates £350 for a one week plug-in connection.
Since dotJournalism enquired about the lack of Wi-fi access at two of the UK's major conference centres, Wi-fi providers Square Seven have secured contracts to establish networks at both venues.
"Security is so tight for the Labour conference that we just don't have time to set it up this year," said chief executive Hugh Sherridan.
"But we've just won the contracts for both Bournemouth International Centre and Blackpool's Winter Gardens in time for the 2004 conference season.
"We haven't worked out the costs yet, but it could be as low as £40 for 5 days."
See also:
http://www.journalism.co.uk/news/story691.html
http://www.wi-fizone.org/zoneLocator.asp
http://www.freelanplc.com
http://www.squareleaf.co.uk
Labour Party Conference, 28 - 30 September 2003
http://www.labour.org.uk/ac2003conferenceagenda
Conservative Party Conference, 6 - 9 October 2003
http://www.conservatives.com/conference/2003partyconference.cfm
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