I suggest a two-fold approach on this: 1) We verify that the information Alan identified is accurate (i.e., that Internet access will not be free at recommended hotels except for the Royal Windsor and that charges for it will come out of per diem allowances for ICANN funded travelers; 2) If the response from Kevin is not acceptable, the travel DT draft and send a letter communicating concerns. Because of the timing, these steps should happen very quickly so I will send a message to Kevin now. Chuck
-----Original Message----- From: owner-council@gnso.icann.org [mailto:owner- council@gnso.icann.org] On Behalf Of Alan Greenberg Sent: Saturday, June 05, 2010 5:57 PM To: GNSO Council Subject: Re: [council] Brussels hotel and Internet connectivity
One more point, the Travel Summary document said that the Meridien and Royal Windsor "are of the same class of service". However, the Royal Windsor's web site says that all guest rooms have free Internet (either wired or wireless).
Alan
At 05/06/2010 02:30 PM, Alan Greenberg wrote:
I checked with Constituency Travel about whether breakfast and Internet access were included in the Meridien hotel room prices paid by ICANN for funded travellers (ALAC is staying there and I understand GNSO also).
The answer was that breakfast is included, but Internet access is not.
According to their web site, the Meridien charges 15 Euros for in-room access, and that public are access is also charged. That is about US$18 or 1/4 of the per diem.
ICANN's standard response in previous situations is that we should simply go to the conference venue for after-hours access - never a nice alternative, but clearly not at all practical with a venue separate from the hotel(s).
How we are expected to take over a week from our normal lives and not have after-hours connectivity is a mystery to me. I thought we had fought this battle before and won.
ALAC has lodged a strong complaint. The GNSO or individuals within the GNSO may want to take similar action.
Alan