Got chased out of a cafe in Medellin for using a signal booster

Was working from a little place in Laureles, having a good day with some strong Colombian coffee. Plugged in my portable signal booster to get a better connection for a client call, and the owner came over shouting in Spanish. I didn't catch everything but he pointed at my device and then at the door. Has anyone else run into issues with local internet regulations or cafe owners not liking your gear?

3 comments

3 Comments

daniel47026d ago

Laureles cafe owners hate signal boosters since they interfere with their wifi networks.

stellaa6926d ago

Omg @daniel470 you are SO right about that. I had a friend try to use a signal booster at a little cafe near Laureles and the owner literally came out and asked them to turn it off, said it was wrecking their whole setup. It was super awkward but I get it, those things mess with everything.

mason.brian12d ago

Man honestly that sounds about right for those smaller spots in Laureles. I had the same thing happen to me at a cafe near the park last year. What worked for me was just finding places that already had solid wifi and didn't need my booster. I started asking the owners before I sat down if they had a good connection or if they minded me using extra gear. Most of the time they'd point me to a table near their router and I'd be good to go without plugging anything in. Saved me a lot of hassle and awkward confrontations. You just gotta read the room better with these family-run spots.