WiFi at CES 2007? Only if you’ve got $1,200

I’m used to being able to bust out my notebook and choose from a variety of WiFi networks wherever I am. So when I packed my gear for CES 2007, one of the world’s largest electronics shows, I assumed I’d have no problem getting online. While at the Toshiba press conference this morning I couldn’t get my Sprint EVDO card working in the convention center, so I tried connecting to the show’s WiFi network. Finding only one public network, I gave it a shot.
To my surprise there was a $9.95 fee to connect for 30 minutes. Connecting for a two-day period costs a whopping $399.95. So if I wanted to be connected to the Sand’s WiFi network I’d have to shell out just under $1,200 over the next five days.
I’m sure this isn’t a problem for Bill Gates who is speaking later today, but can anyone spare some WiFi for us lowly bloggers?

I’m in the press room at CES right now where they provide editors with wired connections, and there aren’t enough ethernet cables to go around. Maybe we’ll have to wait until CES’s 50th anniversary for them to get it right…