"free" Wifi - where and the "real" cost

Morty_007

Hi all,
I have searched and not come up with a thread that brings this together in one place so thought i'd start one...hopefully people will find it helpful! (please merge it if i've missed an existing thread!)

Since switching to Sky recently, we have had no broadband at home (their total incompetence...if I could be bothered to post it I would but I have no doubt there are MANY threads detailing similar experiences to ours!!) so I found myself trying to find internet access elsewhere. The best two places I found were my local library and Starbucks Coffee.

I have come across a couple of threads mentioning a couple of other places that offer it too so I have used these to lengthen my list a little! Please feel free to add to the list.


Venue - Starbucks
Cost - purchase of a drink/local parking
Conditions - must load a Starbucks card and register it online but then you can use the total balance to purchase from starbucks. Card does not need to have a balance on it after the first time you have registered a password and username.

Venue - Local Library
Cost - free but time limits may apply
Conditions - must have a library membership however I was allowed a temporary, 2 week, log in as I was not a member. May be able to piggyback onto library WiFi with own laptop...?


Venue - The Big Sheep, Abbotsham
Cost - entry to The Big Sheep
Conditions - available in the indoor play area/cafe

Venue - McDonalds
Cost - whatever you buy
Conditions - doesn't appear to be a secure connection so be careful about using credit card/checking bank etc


Venue - JD Wetherspoons
Cost - whatever you buy
Conditions - ?

Venue - Greene King Pubs
Cost - whatever you buy
Conditions - ?

Venue - Pret a Manger (please can someone verify this one?)
Cost - whatever you buy
Conditions - ?

Venue - Doyle Collection hotels
Const - ?
Conditions - Guest at hotel although has been reported you may be able to access from foyer. there are 3 in London, Bloomsbury, Marylebone and Kensington.

Venue - Abingdon town centre, Oxfordshire
Cost - ?
Conditions - ?

Venue - swindon wiltshire town center
Cost - ?
Conditions - ?

Venue - St George's shopping Centre - Preston
cost - ? Parking
Conditions-??

Venue - Costa Coffee
Cost - free?
Conditions - ??

Venue - Revolution Bars
Cost - Free
Conditions - they require you to register some of your details (name, address, phone number, etc)

Thanks to Radio-Jo for the following information

The thing about McDonalds and Pret's free wifi is that they use The Cloud or BT Openzone. If, like me, you have a phone (i have an iphone) which gave you 1 year's free wifi via The Cloud and BT Openzone, after that 1 year expires you can no longer login to these wifi networks, even in venues like McDonalds and Pret where they are supposed to be FREE to ALL CUSTOMERS!

I assume this is because they have a database of MAC addresses (unique phone identifier) of phones who have had the 1 year free offer via their mobile network, but I have no idea how I can get my phone removed from it.

Something for the future - http://www.o2.co.uk/wifi


I know that various hotel chains offer WiFi if you are a guest but it would be good to get some specifics about various chains/independent hotels on cost and conditions.


Hope this helps someone out
Morty

Morty_007

72 views and no-one else got any others to add....?

Alter_ego

Abingdon town centre, Oxfordshire(Provided by local council)
Haven't used it but read of it in local paper.

Joannie111

JD Wetherspoons have free wifi and you can enjoy a drink or meal at the same time
Bliss


They have over 700 pubs across the UK

Retro_Bunny

McDonald's is a piece of cake and no purchase necessary, just flick on the wi-fi and enjoy.
Depending on your McD's it can work while stood outside by the door/window if you're that way inclined.

iris

You can get free wifi in McD's car park in France as well;)

Morty_007

iris wrote: »

You can get free wifi in McD's car park in France as well;)

Thats really handy to know!! Is McDonalds WifI secure though? sounds like there isn't a password needed...

aliavavodka

http://www.o2.co.uk/wifi

found this, may be handy?

Ali

iris

Morty_007 wrote: »

Thats really handy to know!! Is McDonalds WifI secure though? sounds like there isn't a password needed...

I wouldn't think it is secure, but then I have never bought anything using this method of connection to the internet. However, I have used it to check my online banking/credit card:o

No password is needed

devizes18193

swindon wiltshire town center

Morty_007

any more town centres that offer free WiFi?