The Premier Online Wi-Fi HotSpot Location Directory

What you need to know to log on at a Public Wi-Fi HotSpot.

You are just a few simple steps away from enjoying convenient ultra high-speed wireless Internet service in thousands of Public Wi-Fi HotSpot locations worldwide. Our easy instructions show you how to log on to Wi-Fi access at airports, hotels, convention centers, cafes and other public places - without wires, plugs, or limitations. 

1. If you have a Wi-Fi enabled computer/laptop/PDA/Phone or have installed a Wi-Fi card in it, and you have it configured correctly, then your systems' default Wi-Fi application or network tool should automatically detect any available Wi-Fi network once you have turned on wireless networking and you are within range of a Wi-Fi signal. You simply need to connect and log in.
   
   If your computer or PDA does not automatically lock on to a Wi-Fi network then you may need to manually select the SSID or Network Name using your computer's Wi-Fi network connection tool.
   
   Additionally, 3rd party software such as those from Boingo Wireless and PC Tel's Segue Roaming Client make logging into a network "point and click" simple and also offer support of Wi-Fi security techniques such as 802.1x, and Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) to ensure your connections are secure.
   
   a. For Windows XP
   Right click the Wireless Network Connection icon, located in the systray. Select View Available Wireless Networks.
   
   
   
   
   Once the Connect to Wireless Network screen appears select the network you want to connect to from the Available Networks field and then click Connect.
   
   
   
   
   A notification message will appear indicating that you are now connected to the wireless network.
   
   
   
   
   
   b. For Mac OS X with Airport Extreme software
   1. Click on the Airport Status icon in the menu bar and verify that Airport is turned on.
   2. Select the wireless network you wish to connect to.
   3. Start surfing the net
   
   
   
   
   
2. Now that you are connected you may still have to to authenticate or sign in via a web page. If you have connected to a FREE network then you may be able to skip this step and already have full access to the Internet.
   
   For commercial HotSpot locations they will most likely utilize "log-in" pages that require a username and password. These pages will automatically appear once you launch your web browser (i.e. Netscape Navigator or Internet Explorer) and you will not be able to access any other pages until you either sign in or sign up for service.
   
   
   
   
   
   If you are already a member just enter your username and password and then click "Connect" or "Go" to gain full access to the Internet.
   
   
3. If you are not a member of the commercial network that you are trying to access then you will need to sign up for service. Daily rates are fairly decent at around $5 to $10 US dollars for 24 hours service. However, keep in mind that the daily rate usually only applies to that SPECIFIC LOCATION.
   
   Example - You sign up for daily service at your local coffee shop in the morning to browse the Internet and send email and then later need to check email and try to log on at another hotspot across town... Well even if it's within the same network you will still have to pay another daily access fee.
   
   If you are going to be using the service more than a few times a month then your best bet is to sign up with a provider that offers a monthly plan since they allow unlimited access to their entire network all for one flat price.
   
   
4. Once you have logged on you can then surf the net, check email, use instant messaging and just about any other internet based service. Once you are done some network providers require you to sign out to end your online Internet session. This is very important if your network provider charges an access fee according to length of usage or amount of data transferred vs unlimited usage.