Posted on: Tuesday, June 8, 2004

ADVICE
Free Wi-Fi hot spots easy to find

By Kim Komando
Gannett News Service

Finding a wireless (Wi-Fi) hookup for your laptop is getting easier. More hotels, coffee shops and public areas are providing them for a fee. Access usually costs about $10 to $15 per day. But with a little research, you won't have to pay a cent.

There are thousands of free Wi-Fi hot spots around the country. Numerous Wi-Fi Web directories list them by state and country.

One such site is Wi-Fi/Free Spot (www.wififreespot.com), a continually updated database. You'll find locations listed by state. If you're traveling to a foreign country, there's a listing of countries organized by continent.

Most free networks are established by retail businesses. It's a way of getting you through their doors. .

Apple retail stores, Schlotzsky's and Panera Bread restaurants are a few that provide free access to customers.

Hotels with access

Also among the providers of free hot spots are hotel chains. Best Western, Clarion, Comfort Inn and Omni hotels are just a few of the national chains that offer free Wi-Fi. ConnectedHotel (www.connectedhotel.com) and the Wi-Fi-Free Spot hotel page (www.wififreespot.com/hotels.html) lists hotels locations.

The Wireless Librarian lists libraries in the United States and abroad that provide wireless networks. Some libraries require a nominal fee. Others are restricted to staff only. You'll find the list here: people.morrisville.edu/~drewwe/wireless.

Wi-Fi HotSpot List (www.wi-fihotspotlist.com) has an extensive listing of hot spots.

Private citizens who believe that the Internet should be free have created free networks around the world. WirelessCommunities (www.personaltelco.net/index.cgi/WirelessCommunities) has an exhaustive listing.

Pay networks

If you can't find free service, there are some pay networks. Two big players are T-Mobile and Boingo.

T-Mobile (www.t-mobile.com/hotspot) has nearly 4,600 locations throughout the United States. It costs $9.99 per day or $29.99 per month. Its hot spots are in Starbucks coffeehouses, Borders Books & Music stores, airports and other areas.

Another large network is Boingo Wireless (www.boingo.com). It doesn't own the hot spots — it contracts them out. It has more than 6,000 locations throughout the world. Boingo costs $7.95 for two days, or $21.95 per month.

Wi-Fi will only reach 75 to 150 feet inside a building with many rooms.

Also, Wi-Fi is not as secure as your Internet connection at home or at work. Most free public wireless networks turn off all security functions by default.

This is done to make it easier to connect. To safeguard your computer, turn off all file sharing and avoid sending sensitive e-mail or making online purchases.

Despite its drawbacks, Wi-Fi is a fast way to access the Internet. Thanks to some interested parties, it can be yours for free.