Swifi codes

In Switz, Wifi, which they probably call "swifi", is commonly accessed by getting directed to a captive portal page and requesting an SMS code to a mobile number.

Those paying close attention will have noticed that someone without capability to receive an SMS in realtime right now is out of luck.

The problem with this is that the reason this poor wretch is trying to use your shitty "swifi" service is probably that THEY DON'T HAVE A WORKING PHONE AT THE MOMENT.  Maybe it ran out of battery, or maybe they didn't bring it today, or they don't have one, or roaming isn't working (for example, SMS reception does not work at all on Austrian network A1 prepaid when roaming outside the EU, Switz being outside the EU).  If they had a working phone, they would probably be using it perfectly happily for their internet access right now, instead of fiddling with your appalling captive portal.

This SMS Swifi happens on SBB trains, public places, and even in hotels.  Last year I was paying around 200 CHF a night to stay at Seehotel Kastenienbaum, and they refused to give me another way to use their wifi.  Later they changed their tune, but only after they spotted a negative review appear on google.  No wifi access, at least initially.  It wasn't a cheap hotel.  (Cheap hotels have better wifi because they tend to use a simple wifi WPA password instead of captive portal bullshit).

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