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'Wi-fi rip off': It's a London thing
London hotels most expensive in Europe for online access...

By Gemma Simpson

Published: Monday 30 October 2006

London has been named the most expensive city in Europe for wi-fi internet access in business-traveller class hotels, according to the latest research.

The average charge across Europe for using wi-fi in a hotel came in at €21 (£14.17) per day but London hotels are charging guests an average of €29 (£19.70) for access for 24 hours.

If your hotel is too expensive why not check out wi-fi access in one of London's many pubs.

Check out silicon.com's guide to the best London wi-fi-enabled boozers here.

Luke Mellors, former CIO of The Dorchester Hotel, told silicon.com much of this may be down to the exchange rate, though he did admit "wi-fi is overpriced".

However, he added: "Presently consumers believe that anything other than free is overpriced and this needs to be addressed as much as the hotels overcharging.

"Users of the service must be prepared to pay for the service in order to ensure development of infrastructure and technology and security for it."

The second most expensive city, according to the research from Webaroo, is Munich, with hotels charging €25.32 per day for wi-fi net access, with Paris coming in third at €21.20 per day.