Free WiFi Hotspots

What does Free Wi-Fi really mean?

As the availability of Free Wi-Fi locations continues to spread I thought it might be good to review what Free might mean in different types of locations. The locations listed in the Wi-Fi FreeSpot Directory all offer some type of Free Wi-Fi access to the public, but sometimes there may be access requirements/restrictions that are unique to a particular type of location, and therefore the access, although free may not be available to everyone/anyone. While accessing the Free Wi-Fi in certain locations you will be spending money to pay for a Hotel room or space in a RV Resort or for coffee in a cafe, etc. so the following information should help to clarify what Free Wi-Fi really means in different locations.

Most of the locations listed will not have any restrictions, but there will be some locations that may restrict access in one of several ways - through a login procedure to users with a registered account - some require you to be a registered guest of their facility - some may require you to be a customer and that implies that you are making a purchase - and some may require a purchase to gain a password needed to login - and some may ask some survey questions as part of a login process.

Libraries

Many cities and towns are now offering Free Wi-Fi in their public libraries. Some might require a library card to use the access but in public libraries free really means free - no purchase required or expected. Many libraries have software that will restrict access to many "questionable" web sites.

Academic Locations

Many academic institutions that offer Free Wi-Fi on their campuses restrict the access to members of their academic community - students, staff, etc. - and require some kind of login procedure to control access, but, there are some that don't have any restrictions. So, in academic locations, it is free but maybe not free for all.

Hotels, Motels and Resorts

If these locations offer Free Wi-Fi in their guest rooms then you'd need to be a registered guest to use the access, thus, free may mean it's included in the price of the room. If these locations offer Free Wi-Fi in common areas of the location - lobby, pool area, restaurant, bar/lounge, meeting rooms - the use may be restricted to guests but they may make the access available to non-guests as well. assume that most Hotel type free Wi-Fi is meant for guests only, even in the common public areas, but you can always try it at a listed location just in case it is not.

RV Parks and Campgrounds

Most locations of this type will require users to be registered guests of the location. Be sure to check whether the Free Wi-Fi access is available only in or near a "clubhouse" type of building or whether the access reaches the RV pads and campsite areas of the property.

Vacation Rental Properties

You must be the renter of the property to access the wireless high speed internet access provided by the property owner as an amenity.

Cafes, coffee shops, restaurants, miscellaneous, etc.

Some of these types of locations require a purchase to obtain a password while others have an explicit policy that requires you to be a customer and thus implies that you'll be making a purchase to get the free access. Some require you to ask for a password even without a purchase.

Most of these types of locations do not require a purchase to access the Free Wi-Fi. But, I'm sure it would certainly be appreciated. Let your conscience be your guide. The access here is free for all but if you choose to make a purchase while you're there I don't think this would mean that free is no longer free.