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Wi-Fi on the go: what’s free and what’s not
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We have children and they love their chicken nuggets and playlands/playgrounds. It’s nice to be able to get catch up on things while they play. So once in awhile the laptop comes out so we can read emails and news, finish that one client deliverable now that the mind is clear and uncluttered, etc. Imagine our surprise when we found out McDonald’s charges for Wi-Fi access. To quote their website, “Connectivity and/or usage fees may apply and be required for Wi-Fi services.” So, how do you find free hot spots? There are a number of websites to assist. Here’s a quick review of each.
openwifispots.com has over 24,000 Wi-Fi hotspots in the U.S. and many new listing added each week. No sign-up or login required. There are only a few listings in my area, some of which are restaurant favorites and we were completely unaware of their free Wi-Fi offerings. And you have the added ability of searching by location type. The site is promising with their continuously updated by a growing number of community users.
hotspotr.com – Wi-Fi Cafes and Hotspots – is a user driven reporting system where anyone within the community is able to “Add a Spot.” When the user enters the information, they indicate if it’s free or on a charge basis. Pay as you go services are shown with a pink marker and a dollar sign. They have over 7300 spots in over 1800 cities and even a few café reviews, yet no hotspots in my area.
wififreespot.com is a little crude with no listings in my immediate area. The feature I do like is the quick lookup of companies (like Panera Bread), airports, hotel chains, RV parks, campgrounds and vacation rental properties that offer free Wi-Fi.
ilovefreewifi.com is a newer service (started in 2007). The owner of the site is still working out the bugs and functionality needs. Though the number of hot spots is not touted on this site, there are few major cities with a significant number of locations shown.
jiwire.com lists 200,000 Wi-Fi hotspots in 135 countries. There are nine locations listed in my immediate area with the provider/access specifics listed. None of these locations have been rated by users, making me wonder if the site is often used. JiWire is a Wi-Fi advertising network that delivers national- and local-targeted ads at Wi-Fi locations. So, you have to wonder about their motivation.
Do you have a favorite site for finding free Wi-Fi wherever you go? Tell us about it.
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35 Responses to “Wi-Fi on the go: what’s free and what’s not”
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I had a similar experience with McDonalds. I was really surprised that they charged to connect. My guess is that they contracted with some company to install in all of their franchises in exchange for the fees. Bummer huh?
Nice review of all the hot spots.
My local MC Donald’s has a “free wifi” sign in the window. For free you can connect to the site that sells you the per minute plan! It’s easier to just find a open network that someone forgot to firewall.
Side note- I found your site on DP
Nice list. I will use it when I need to find a free wifi area.
It really is true about what they say - you learn something new everyday. I have noticed that some of the restaurants have an internet cafe sort of area, but never realised that if you had your own computer, you would have to pay to use their connection. What a turn-off. However, it is very good to know that there are places where this is free. Great reviews of this by the way.
Thanks for the handy links…I was looking for something exactly like this for a while now!
thanks for this nice list of links… Another free WIFI!
I can’t believe McDonald’s charges for Wi-Fi access, Went in there the other days with my kid and I didn’t want anything and they said I had to get a large meal to get the WI-FI access… I thought it was so funny!
That is funny!
Customer: “Can I get a number 5 supersized”
Cashier: “Do you want Wi-fi access with that?”
A little off topic but I noticed the other day while in the Orlando airport (free Wi-fi) that I could view every computer that was connected to the system. I checked quickly and I could see peoples shared folders! Not knowing my own shared settings I got off-line before anyone could look at my files.
Take this as a warning to secure your files before using a shared connection!
I don’t mind paying for wifi access - just how do you know who you are dealing with and that you can trust them with your credit card?
The Las Vegas strip has a good one for $6 per hour - way cheaper than being in the casino!
This is cool! Can i have one too?
McDonald’s - I salute you!!
McDonald’s does rock for the fact that they’ve got yogurt parfaits, chicken mcnuggets, and wi-fi
bad news for me.. i live in mexico, and the only place where there is free access to wifi its my house and my school..
hope we can someday have wifi at least a the local mcdonalds…
good list thx.? willtry it…
Hmmm…a burger and wi-fi. Sounds pretty good to me. Thank you for sharing the hot spot info.
i love it i ove mc donalds
McDonald’s - cool guys
I really don’t understand why everybody does not have free WiFi? It’s so cheap to setup if your mildly technical. The ROI for coffee shops and restaurants has to be over 1000%!
Nice promo indeed with a munching french fries while surfing.
I don’t bother with ripoff hotspots that you have to pay for like TMobile. I use my Verizon Wireless broadband card that I can use anywhere (including the racetrack).
I am looking into a broadband card myself. I really do need it as I work online. However, free hotspots do help a great deal. If only I lived near one of these hotspots.
thanks for the information on the free hotspots. i travel a lot and this is great information to know.
Thanks for the helpful info on wi-fi hotspots. I like to get free wireless internet wherever I possible can. I love your blog, it provide great info.
I love me some wi-fi! Actually, I’m planning on getting an iTouch so I am looking forward to getting to use those hotspots. Thanks for the information.
Nice list. Thanks.
Burgers, fries, a milkshake, and a side order of wi-fi…does it get any better than that?
I have young kids too. What a great idea to take them where there’s a playground and free wi fi. I never thought of that. Thanks!
Nice list of hotspots. Too bad they aren’t all free though. Thanks for the info.
Can’t be long before Burger King, KFC, etc get in on the act and then they start to give it away for nothing. Competition is great, isn’t it?
this is so cool, wifi @ Maccie D’s I can blog while at my fave food establishment
Mcdonalds comes up with really weird promotions that tend to go no-where.
Its nice to have wifi at mcdonalds.
right i i go to most of mc donalds for free wifi but too bad i have to surf for 2 hours only and well Mcdo Wifi is great and fast
good to have them and there burger is good no doubt
McDonalds here in my area is free but sometimes they turn off their internet access. I don’t know but I noticed that if they noticed that most of their customers have laptops they usually do turn off their wi fi access. It is very irritating most especially if you have already ordered something in their store. wooh! So most of us here check first the internet before buying anything or finish first the job and surfing before buying something.