This would probably make a good business model:
People could set up internet gathering centres containing physical space that focuses on large, spacious gatherings with tables and chairs that allow people to access the internet for free. Other amenities, such as food, could be sold in the periphery of the seating and social area. An important consideration would be to easily allow friends to talk to each other in various areas of the space. Therefore, the layout of the computer stations would mainly be more social with large tables, instead of the rigid single stations laid out side by side.
Some cafés offer internet access or computer terminals where people can access internet, usually at one side of the room and for a fee. In addition, internet cafés with a combination of both food and internet are also present.
One improvement of an internet gathering centre over most traditional internet cafés would be its focus on the social gathering aspect and the internet, containing free internet stations at the centre of the room, and food as only a side interest. With a comfortable setting. this would also differentiate it from food courts, where there is generally little space and quite noisy. Universities generally have more of these types of gathering centres, although more of these types of centres could probably be set up in a commcercial setting. The recent Apple stores are probably also a good example of such centres, although more seating and a more spacious would design would be advantageous.
