Rome recently joined New York and Philadelphia as cities that offer free public wireless or wi-fi networks. Robin Good details Rome's network specifics in this report. As a Chicago resident I wondered if I had free city run wi-fi networks available in my area. The City of Chicago does not currently offer free wi-fi hotspots. I did a little more digging and found that there is a movement by the City of Chicago to run its own Wi-fi network and you can read more about it here.
The Chicago plan which is still in the developmental phase was based off of the wi-fi networks being installed in Philadelphia and other cities nationwide. Wireless transmitters placed in streetlights or other places throughout the city could make it possible to get high-speed Internet anywhere in the city.
Aside from public movements toward free wireless connections there are already a number of
private companies offering free wireless Internet. I found that Chicago ranked second only to San Francisco in the top 25 free wireless hotspots offered by private venues. You can find networks in your area by going to Metrofreefi.com and selecting a U.S. location. If you are not in the U.S. you could us Google Local and search for Wi-fi. Wi-Fi Freespot and Wifinder list a number of Wi-fi hotspots across the globe.
TrackBacks
http://www.typepad.com/t/trackback/431977/2994497
» Why Isn’t Internet Access Free For Travelers? from Somewhat Frank
I have been traveling quite a bit lately and have had to rely on public Internet access. Much to my dismay I have found that most hotels and airports still do not offer free Internet access. Why isn't airport and [Read More]
Tracked on Nov 27, 2006 10:32:47 PM
Another option that you might want to look at is http://www.fon.com
Posted by: Grahame Falvey | Tuesday, November 28, 2006 at 11:01 AM
I thought you did a good job on the brief overview and kudos on providing up-to-date links to access free wi-fi sites.
Question: I just purchased a (used) smartphone and am on Verizon cellular service, and am too cheap to purchase their data plans. Anyway, I have access to land-based ISPs through dial-up accounts, but it appears that VERIZON blocks all data transfers over their cellular lines (I talked to them about this). It seems they only allow wireless data transfer over their *777 line (charging per KB data usage) or free thru wi-fi. IS IT POSSIBLE TO ACCESS A PAID ISP VIA VERIZON CELLULAR LINE W/O INCURRING DATA TRANSFER CHARGES OR PURCHASING VERIZON'S DATA SERVICE?? I JUST WANT TO USE MY AIR TIME TO ACCESS CELLULAR INTERNET W/ MY SMART PHONE. IS THAT TOO MUCH TO ASK?
Posted by: Howard | Tuesday, March 06, 2007 at 12:52 PM