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Rent-a-wireless

Wi-Fi in your rental car? Sounds a little bit like allowing cell phone conversations during flights: extremely tempting, but ultimately dangerous to travelers' well-being.

According to a New York Times article, wireless startup Autonet Mobile is expected to announce an deal with Avis Rent A Car this week to provide wireless Internet access in Avis vehicles by March. The fee for the service would be $10.95 a day.

With the 2007 Consumer Electronics Show kicking off today in Las Vegas, I suspect that will be the place of unveiling.

Addressing worries about people trying to use their computers while driving, Avis will apparently require car renters to sign a waiver freeing the company from liability for crashes related to using the Internet.

I suppose one of the more popular uses for a wireless connection in your car would be navigation, either incorporating a GPS device or just using online maps. But don't most rental cars come with GPS already? For business travelers who are on the road solo, you wonder how much a wireless connection would be used.

Would you pay to have a wireless connection in your rental car? What would you use it for (be honest!) Write to bboydstoncorrea@yahoo.com.