Find free WiFi hotspots by searching online directories before leaving home. Verify availability and network type with the establishment beforehand. Use a WiFi finder device or visit coffee shops, bookstores, airports, hotels, and city buildings for access. Wi-Fi Alliance sets international wireless standards.
As online activities increasingly integrate with real-world activities, the number of places where you can get free wireless access is growing. Different types of wireless adapters can detect wireless networks, and there are even website directories dedicated to locating free WiFi® hotspots in a particular area of the world.
Whenever possible, locate hotspots before leaving the house. You can check out one or more websites that host hotspot directories. Enter local area information (address or postcode) to view results. Most sites allow you to set a permitted search range, such as searching for free WiFi® areas “within one mile” (1.61km) of your target area. The results are displayed as hyperlinked names of each establishment. Clicking on a result will take you to a page with the address, phone number and a street map. Details about the type of network (e.g. standard 802.11b, 802.11g or 802.11n) are also usually provided.
If you’re planning a vacation or business trip, search for free WiFi® hotspots in advance by entering the postcode of the location you’ll be visiting. It’s always a good idea to have backup hotspots in case the one you plan to use is down for any reason.
While directories make every effort to be accurate, businesses come and go, ownership or management changes, and networks are upgraded or changed from one standard to another, for example, or from a free hotspot to a paid service. If access will be critical, call the establishments you plan to use in advance to verify that free WiFi® hotspots are available. If your internal network card can only connect to a single protocol, such as 802.11g, be sure to ask if the network broadcasts in the protocol supported by your card.
Planning ahead is nice but not always possible. If you’re in town with a need for ad hoc access, you have a few options. Navigating commercial areas with a WiFi® finder can be of great help.
A WiFi® finder is a radio frequency (RF) device that scans radio waves for WiFi® transmissions, some models flash graduated LED lights to guide the user towards higher signal strength. A WiFi® finder can be a small, battery-operated device that hangs on a keychain. These devices allow you to find free WiFi® hotspots without turning on your laptop. Other models include USB dongles that could double as external network cards. A WiFi® finder is best used by a passenger in the vehicle.
If you don’t own a WiFi® finder and haven’t explored free WiFi® zones beforehand, upscale coffee shops like Starbucks® are often wired and easy to find, as are many large chain bookstores that include coffee counters. Airports and hotels are other possible sources of online access. If necessary, consult a pay phone directory for the nearest places most likely to have free WiFi® hotspots. Online access may be advertised in some of these businesses. The city itself may provide a free wireless access point near the civic center, library, or other city buildings. If your need arises during working hours, call the municipal services to ask.
From a technical point of view, the Wi-Fi® Alliance is an organization that provides international standards for wireless protocols. Only a network composed of Wi-Fi certified components is a true Wi-Fi® network or Wi-Fi® hotspot, while the public has adopted the term “WiFi” as a generic descriptor of any wireless network, regardless of the type of hardware used.
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