Free Wireless Internet UK hotspots & cheap 3G mobile web

Travel with your laptop and want to connect to the internet? Free, legal wireless hotspot connections are more common than you think, plus now 3G web packages allow you broadband speeds at a decent price even where there’s no wireless. This is a detailed guide to getting web on the move for free; and a full comparison of the cheapest 3G packages.

• Choose the right route
• Wireless web access
• Free wireless: UK hotspots
• 3G Broadband: what is it?
• Choosing a package
• Best Buys: The cheapest packages
• Minimising data use
• Other articles/discuss

Choose the right route

Al fresco web access comes in two distinct forms. Wireless internet access allows your computer to connect through the air to a broadband connection provided you’re within 20 or 30 metres of the access point. 3G mobile broadband requires a special piece of hardware, which enables you to use it anywhere providing there’s a mobile phone signal.

• No local broadband availability?

  If you live in an area where broadband still isn't available for whatever reason, and you're forced to use a dial-up connection, 3G broadband could be just what the doctor ordered. The cheapest package is £10/month (see below, 24 month contract), so you could feasibly make a saving, get faster web access, and spare yourself hassle by switching. More info: Cheapest 3G Packages

• Frequent business traveller?

  If you often travel around the country or in Europe and require web access for work, 3G broadband could also prove the most convenient option. Whilst it's possible to find free wireless in most areas, 3G will allow you to surf and check emails in hotel rooms and on trains, but it's important you don't choose a package with astronomical EU data costs.

  The question here is do you travel often enough to justify taking out a contract, or would it be more economical to Pay As You Go? The latter may be more convenient, but requires an initial spend for the USB modem. More info: PAYG 3G broadband

• Only travel with your laptop occasionally?

  If you're currently paying for broadband at home, and will only occasionally need to access the net when travelling, then using wireless hotspots is probably your best bet. Find out where to look for them below. More info: Free Wireless

• Often move home?

  If you rent and frequently change location then going 3G may save you cash, and it'll certainly save you the headache and wasted time of constantly switching landlines.

• Looking for home broadband?

  All the top current deals are in the Cheapest Broadband article.

Wireless web access

Wireless is a clever bit of technology that allows your computer to send and receive data through thin air. Nowadays, almost all new computers and laptops have wireless capability, or 'Wi-Fi', built in and ready to use. Yet even if not, most can be upgraded cheaply with USB wireless network adaptors (Read Wikipedia's Wi-Fi definition).

In this case the term 'hotspot' has nothing at all to do with Michael Barrymore. It's simply an area in which you can get a wireless network signal, and there are thousands spanning the country. Many are in very public places, so take extra care when entering personal data - sensitive stuff is best left to the privacy of home

Connecting to hotspots operated by T-Mobile and other large commercial companies (prevalent in high street coffee chains and the like) can cost a pretty penny (e.g. BT Openzone £6, T-mobile Hotspots £5 per hour). However, there are many places to connect for free.

In any built-up area it's unlikely you'll be far from free wireless access, though do check it's official 'free wireless', and you're not just using someone's private connection; it's an offence to use non-public services without permission.

Get it free across the UK!

First of all, if you're in town, you can find free, no password necessary wireless access at these high street mainstays (as well as local coffee shops etc):

• McDonalds restaurants. Wi-Fi should be instantly accessible; just selct it on your machine

• JD Wetherspoons pubs. Again, just select it, but stay for too long without buying anything and you might get a few funny glances from the bar.

• Walkabout pubs. Again here you may need to buy something out of politeness if you want to stay awhile!

• Slug & Lettuce. The Slug & Lettuce chain now boasts free Wi-Fi throughout. The networks, provided by The Cloud, should be accessible instantly; just make sure you choose the right one.

• Pret a Manger. The tasty sandwich emporium now offers totally free, no-password-necessary wireless to all comers (and people standing nearby, ahem...)
  

• Krispy Kreme. The latest chain to strike up a deal with The Cloud, the doughnut vendor's currently offering free wireless access in 18 stores nationwide, with more to follow.
  
  
• Starbucks (for some). Having implemented BTopenzone hotspots in 650 shops nationwide, Starbucks now offers free WiFi to rewards cardholders, iPhone users, O2 mobile broadband users, and most BT total broadband customers.
  
  To get it with a Starbucks card, grab one instore and register it online, topping up by at least a fiver. Now you'll be able to sign into its network using your details. Existing cardholders needn't re-register. More details: Starbucks Card

If you've web access and a few spare minutes at home, there are a host of sites that list wireless hotspots, and a few tools to help you find them. One of the most popular (and hence up-to-date), is JiWire, which allows you to type in a postcode or place name and search for local spots amongst the 25,000 or so on its database.

It's also worth checking My Hotspots, Free Hotspot, and Hotspot Locations for finesse. Where necessary, be sure to limit your search to hotspots listed as free only.

Become a 'fonero' or 'BTfonero'

Another alternative is to get involved with Spanish company Fon, which is trying to turn the world into one giant hotspot through wireless connection sharing. The idea's simple, you buy a special wireless router (£33) which splits your connection in two; one secure part for you, and one open part for other members of the Fon community, who in exchange offer you use of the open part of their own wireless networks, wherever they are in the world.

BT internet users needn't buy the Fon router at all, since BT's done a deal with the company allowing users to securely split their connections and become 'foneros' too, which gives the Fon community impressive overall coverage (see coverage maps). BT total broadband customers that sign up for the scheme now also get totally free access to BT's widespread 'OpenZone' hotspots, which usually costs up to £6/hour.

Safe surfing

Whilst the existence of wireless networks accessible to everybody is undoubtedly a great thing, there are a couple of things to watch out for. Try not to enter any secure info when using public Wi-Fi spots, as there's risk it can be intercepted by others on the network and used for that most dreaded thing; identity fraud.

Second, it's easy to get lost in the web; the presence of a few people focused on their laptops is a big draw for pickpockets and bag thieves, so keep an eye on your stuff at all times

3G mobile broadband: what is it?

Instead of connecting through a landline, 3G web access makes use of mobile phone networks to send data, meaning you can connect wherever there's a mobile signal. Yet you don't need a mobile phone to do it; these packages come supplied with a little modem that takes its place.

With the exception of Vodafone and 3's special HSDPA networks (which aren't exactly reliable), mobile broadband's generally not as fast as home broadband. Good 3G coverage is the most important factor; only a few areas of the country support the fastest data standard, but 90% can get a basic 3G signal, which should still provide much faster speeds than dial-up.

Got a 3G mobile handset & need urgent web access?

If your mobile's capable of sending/receiving 3G data, the chances are you can already connect it to your laptop (either via a supplied cable or Bluetooth) and get on the net that way. However, unless you've got a special package data costs can quickly spiral out of control so this should be saved for emergencies, and you must take care not to download more than necessary (see How to minimise data use).

Choosing a mobile broadband package

There are a few crucial things to consider when deciding on a 3G package:

• Where can you use it?

  No matter how fast the package you choose is, or how big your data allowance, it ain't gonna work if the 3G signal's poor where you are. So, check each network's 3G coverage maps/coverage checker, and then, if you or a friend have a 3G mobile phone handset, use that to check actual reception where you use your computer.

• How much can you use it?

  Like some regular broadband providers, mobile networks limit the amount you're allowed to download each month. Go over this limit and you may be liable for extra charges (depending on provider). Since these can run to over £100/GB (3 Mobile), they must be factored in to your choice.

  The limits are measured in gigabytes (GB), which each consist of 1,024 megabytes (MB). In practical terms, 1GB should be enough if all you do is surf and check emails, but if you plan to download music & video you're likely to need more.

  For a very rough idea of how much bandwidth you'll use by doing certain things online, use this simple usage calculator from WebUser.

• Are there any upfront charges?

  There's nothing mobile networks like more than tying you to a good ol' contract, and mobile broadband packages are no exception. The majority of contracts are 18 months, though shorter deals at higher expense are possible. If you'll only use the service occasionally (i.e. as a backup), there are also some Pay As You Go options.

• Will you use it abroad?

  If you take your computer to work on abroad, you need to be careful; most 3G packages can cost a fortune even for a small amount of data use. So when abroad, if possible limit your use to just a few minor emails; then to do any hardcore work connect via a web café or wireless hotspot as it’ll be cheaper.
  

• Does your phone/broadband provider offer special deals?
  
  A couple of companies offer special mobile broadband deals to existing customers. Currently Virgin Media* offers its home broadband customers (size L and above) a 1GB mobile broadband package for £5/mth, and Orange* offers existing mobile customers a 500MB package for £4.89/mth. If your mobile network offers 3G broadband, and you're happy with its service, it's worth ringing and asking for a special deal.

Best Buys: Cheapest 3G web access

Mobile broadband is now available on most networks, but services vary dramatically. If at all possible, ask to try a friend's dongle at home before investing in your own; speeds and coverage can vary widely even in small areas.

All the packages below include software for monitoring data throughput, but it's also worth installing a free bandwidth monitor like tbbMeter, Rokario or Netmeter to be doubly sure you don't go over the limit.

The following are the current top picks from the main suppliers:

• Orange. £4.89 month for existing customers. 500 MB monthly limit
  
  Existing Orange* customers can get 500 MB mobile broadband on an 18-month contract for just £4.89/mth, making it the cheapest package currently available, albeit with the lowest usage limit. While Orange's service lacks some of the features other providers offer, such as free WiFi, it's perhaps the easiest of all to set up (no software required, just plug & play), and feedback's been positive about the reliability and consistency of the service in most areas.
  
  The company also offers an 18-month 1GB package for £9.79/mth which you needn't be an existing customer to get. Unfortunately though, if you go over the limit on this package, Orange charges £1.43 per additional MB you use, though the max it'll charge is capped at £40. This seems unfair since it only charges 1.96p per additional MB on the 500 MB package above.
  
  QUICK FACTS. Speed: Up to 1.8 MB Download Limit: 500MB Modem & Connection Fee Included: Yes (subject to 18 month contract) Technical Support Phone Costs: Free Additional Usage Costs: 1.96p/MB (500 MB), £1.43/MB (1GB) Roaming Costs: up to £6.46/mb Contract length: 18 Months

• 3 Lite. £10 a month, 1GB monthly limit
  
  For 1 GB usage, the basic Three Mobile package has held the top spot for a while; it costs £10/month on an 18 month contract. It's worth noting that 3 also charges £10/GB on its PAYG packages, so if you don't need the consistent access it'll probably work out cheapest to scout out a cheap 3 PAYG dongle and only top up when you need to (see below).
  
  QUICK FACTS. Speed: Up to 3.2 MB Modem & Connection Fee Included: Yes (subject to 18 month contract) Technical Support Phone Costs: 4p+ (0870) Additional Usage Costs: 10p/mb (£102/GB) Roaming Costs: £3/6 per mb Contract length: 18 Months
  

• Vodafone. £15 a month, 3GB monthly limit

  Especially good for Londoners, Vodafone* offers the fastest speeds in areas with support for its high-speed HSDPA network (currently mostly London and airports); up to 7.2 Mbps download, and 1.44MB upload. Customers outside the city and airports can still expect good speeds provided they've good Vodafone 3G reception (see its coverage maps first), and user feedback has been very positive.

  However, the offer's not all positive; go over the limit even slightly and you'll be charged for the next full GB of use, which costs £15. It's steep, but at least has less potential to shock than 3's £102/GB excess charge.

  QUICK FACTS. Speed: Potential 7.2 Mbps Download Limit: 3 GB Modem & Connection Fee Included: Yes (subject to 12 month contract) Technical Support Phone Costs: 4p+ (0870) Additional Usage Costs: £15/GB Roaming Costs: £9.99 per 24hrs in selected countries (fair usage applies), £4.99/mb in others Contract length: 12 Months
  

• 3 MAX. £15/mth, 15GB monthly limit

  You can get a huge 15GB package from the Three Network for just £15/month, though you do have to take a 24 month contract with it. Advertised speed is up to 1.8 Mbps normally but up to 3.6 Mbps in 3's 'turbo' areas (use its coverage checker to find them), though like all these things, the reality can be a fair bit slower.
  
  Three has the widest coverage in the UK according to Ofcom, but some users (inc. Martin!) have complained about connection speeds at busy times. If you use the modem in one of 3's 'turbo' areas (use its coverage checker to find them, though take its results with a small pinch of salt), transfer speeds of up to 3.6 Mbps are possible, though in reality around half that is a reasonable maximum.

  QUICK FACTS. Speed: Up to 3.2 MB Modem & Connection Fee Included: Yes (subject to 24 month contract) Technical Support Phone Costs: 4p+ (0870) Additional Usage Costs: 10p/mb (£102/GB) Roaming Costs: £3/6 per mb Contract length: 24 Months

Don't want a contract? You can Pay As You Go too

If you only need infrequent 3g access, for example whilst travelling, then it makes no sense to pay monthly. Instead, you could take advantage of a Pay As You Go service.

• £19.99 for modem, then £10 for 1GB, £15 for 3GB, or £25 for 7GB top-up. Three Pay As You Go broadband.

  The Three* Pay As You Go package gets you the same service as you'd get on a contract, with the same standard data costs, but you're not obliged to pay every month. Unfortunately, top-ups expire after 30 days, making this less competitive than it could be for infrequent users, but if you get the modem at a good price then it's still a good deal.
  
  There's one major major caveat though; to get anything like the full value of your top-up, you must convert it to an 'add-on', using the my 3 service online. Otherwise, you'll be charged £1 per MB you use - that's just 10MB from a £10 top-up, or 100th of the 1GB you paid for. The conversion process is quite simple (here's Three's guide), though it's irksome to do it each time you top up. You can avoid it entirely by taking out a 30-day rolling contract instead, which costs the same.

  QUICK FACTS. Speed: Up to 3.6 Mbps Download Limit: Varies Modem & Connection Fee Included: Connection free, modem bought Technical Support Phone Costs: 4p+ (0870) Costs if you don't convert to 'add-on': £1/mb (£1024/GB) Roaming Costs: £3/6 per mb Contract length: N/A
  

• £29.35 for modem, then £2 for a day, £7.50 for a week, or £15 for a month (3GB limit) O2 PAYG.
  
  Based on a similar principle to Three's offering, O2* goes a step further by offering daily and weekly-expiring top-ups, as well as 30-day ones. They have download limits of 500MB, 1GB, and 3GB respectively. O2's 3G coverage was recently revealed to be amongst the worst in the UK by Ofcom, but you do get its 30-day 'happiness guarantee', so you can send it back if you get crummy reception.
  
  QUICK FACTS. Speed: Up to 3.6 Mbps Download Limit: Varies Modem & Connection Fee Included: Connection free, modem bought Technical Support Phone Costs: 4p+ (0870) Roaming Costs: up to £6 per mb Contract length: N/A
  
  

How to minimise data use.

If the 3G package is for when you're out and about, and you've normal broadband elsewhere, it's worth minimising your data use as it's more expensive. Here are a few tricks:

• Turn off automatic updates.
  
  This is probably the most important way to save download allowance, and the easiest way to get caught out. Many programs, as well as operating systems themselves, routinely check for available updates and download them. Downloads can run to hundreds of megabytes; not ideal if that's all you have to play with. Turn them back on when you have the bandwidth though, or you might leave security holes open on your machine.
  
  
• Turn off images when you surf.
  
  If you're content to do without pictures when browsing (even just temporarily) then it's usually easy to disable them. In Internet Explorer, click Tools, then the 'advanced' tab, and scroll down the list to Multimedia. In that section, uncheck the 'show pictures' box and while you're there, the Play animations in webpages' box. The procedure's similar in all browsers.
  
  
• Change your email settings.
  
  If you currently manage your emails with a program like Outlook or Thunderbird (and you get a lot of unnecessary ones), you may save data by signing up to a web-based service like MS Live Hotmail, Yahoo Mail or Gmail. Re-direct some emails to the web-based account, and if a friend decides to send you party pictures when you're away in Spain, you can choose not to download them 'til you get back. (see m'blog).
  
  You could also change your settings to download headers only, or else set up filters which cut out less important or larger emails. How to do so will depend on the software you favour, but most offer detailed guides.
  
  
• Get rid of Ad/Spyware.
  
  Adware and spyware programs, which usually manage to sneak onto your machine without you noticing, can use up your valuable allowance by talking to their leaders out in cyberspace. They can also leave your computer prone to attack by all manner of other nasties, so it's worth downloading a free tool to get rid of them (on another connection if possible). Find one in the Kit Out Your PC For Free article.
  
  
• Grab special software and halve costs: OnSpeed
  
  OnSpeed is special software which compresses data to improve website load times (see the Cheap Dial-up article for more info). It's ideal for mobile broadband, as it both increases speed and reduces data use. You can set and amend the level of compression yourself, and the results are impressive.
  
  Its website claims speed increases of 8 times and cost savings of up to 90%, and while these have to be seen to be believed, it's definitely worth considering. The software costs £24.99 for a 12-month subscription, but you can currently get a year free if you buy mobile broadband via Broadband Expert.
  
  
  

Can you get cashback on top?

It’s often possible to grab extra cashback on top when you sign up for mobile broadband packages. Yet it isn’t done direct. To get it you need sign up via a specialist cashback websites; these use affiliate links to generate revenue, and if they get paid when you get it, they give some or all of it to you.

Yet always first check that it's an identical product, clear any cookies if you’ve already clicked through, and remember as the cashback isn’t coming from the product provider, it's never 100% guaranteed. You're playing the system to an extent, and there can be problems.

Therefore it's generally best to pick the right product first and view the cashback as an added extra. For more information, pros and cons, and to find which cashback providers pay most for any product, see the Top Cashback Sites guide.

Sometimes there are special higher rates negotiated for the short term. These tend to have a higher payout reliability; when they happen we’ll list them below and include info in the weekly e-mail.

Current cashback deals.

• £25 cashback with an O2 PAYG dongle and £15 top-up.
  
  Both Topcashback and Quidco are offering this deal, which effectively gets you an O2 Pay As You Go dongle and 30-day, 3GB top-up for nothing. You must buy the £15 top-up within 30 days of purchase to qualify for the cashback with either site.