# Free Wifi??? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 23, 2012, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-wifi/641902 "2012-11-23T15:38:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2012, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-wifi/641902/21 "2012-11-23T21:52:48Z")
> [@DMark](#): > > Well, you can also use your cell phone as a “hot spot” for your laptop, should you be somewhere that doesn’t have Wifi. > > Some people tether their cell phones with their laptops at hotels that charge a lot for Wifi access (I have heard of $25/day in some hotels!), or even if your Internet goes down or whatever. > > So “free Wifi” could mean that your cell phone _becomes_ the Wifi hotspot for laptops/tablets. As a test, my brother and my cousins were staying with me at my house and I turned on the tethering hot spot feature of my Android cell phone, and they were all able to use their laptops and iPads simply from my cell phone. I’d advise making sure tethering doesn’t violate your cell carrier’s TOS (some disallow tethering, I hear), and watch those data caps! ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2012, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-wifi/641902/22 "2012-11-23T22:20:35Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > McDonalds > Tim Hortons > Schools With regard to schools, universities especially may offer free wifi. Of course, as a visitor or extension student you probably won’t be able to access the secure network used by students, faculty, and staff. But there’s often a guest network available, excluding any secure University data or resources, but allowing you to get online. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2012, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-wifi/641902/23 "2012-11-23T22:27:09Z")
I was on a charter [bus](http://www.academybus.com/) this week in NYC/NJ area; the entire fleet has it. ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2012, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-wifi/641902/24 "2012-11-23T22:52:43Z")
In my city, the courthouse has WiFi available in the juror waiting area. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2012, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-wifi/641902/25 "2012-11-24T12:41:20Z")
I had to check the date on the OP; I thought it was from the turn of the century. In my experience, free Wi-Fi is all over the place. mmm ---
**Author:** ![midnight-dreary](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@midnight-dreary](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/midnight-dreary)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2012, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-wifi/641902/26 "2012-11-24T13:35:58Z")
During my average day, going to university, The only places that don’t have wifi is the train station and the shuttle bus. The shops, The trains and my university all have free wifi. ---
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2012, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-wifi/641902/27 "2012-11-24T15:55:37Z")
Panera limits you to a half-hour around lunch time; at least it did last time I tried several months ago. :mad: ---
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2012, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-wifi/641902/28 "2012-11-24T20:04:21Z")
> [@Seanette](#): > > I’d advise making sure tethering doesn’t violate your cell carrier’s TOS (some disallow tethering, I hear), and watch those data caps! I called and it is totally legal with my provider - and regarding data caps, well - I have an unlimited plan and don’t do any heavy duty downloads (no films/streaming/gaming) so I doubt that will ever be a problem. And yeah, I know “unlimited” is not the same as speedy, fast, eternal service. They will slow you down if you start going nuts with data. I might add that using your cell phone to tether to a laptop/Wifi device is certainly not the best of long-term solutions, but it works quite nicely in a pinch. ---
**Author:** ![cougar58](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f07891/32.png) [@cougar58](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cougar58)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2012, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-wifi/641902/29 "2012-11-24T22:05:58Z")
using a free wifi hotspot, even those without a password encryption, is illegal…unless you go in and buy a cup of coffee ( or equiv product / service) a guy in Michigan was arrested while snagging the wifi from a coffee shop, that broadcasts free wifi without a password…which is a felony…the police walked up to him as he surfed in his car in the parking lot near the coffee shop he faced a $10,000 fine and 5 years in jail; he opted to plead guilty and pay $400 and to do 40 hours of community service > **[Fox News - Breaking News Updates | Latest News Headlines | Photos & News...](https://www.foxnews.com/)** > > Breaking News, Latest News and Current News from FOXNews.com. Breaking news and video. Latest Current News: U.S., World, Entertainment, Health, Business, Technology, Politics, Sports. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2012, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-wifi/641902/30 "2012-11-24T22:06:28Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > I had to check the date on the OP; I thought it was from the turn of the century. I would hate to see the day when the only way to get over-the-air Internet is to have a smartphone or to buy a 3G/4G plan for another device… ---
**Author:** ![Mdcastle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/958977/32.png) [@Mdcastle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mdcastle)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2012, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-wifi/641902/31 "2012-11-25T01:42:43Z")
> [@cougar58](#): > > using a free wifi hotspot, even those without a password encryption, is illegal…unless you go in and buy a cup of coffee ( or equiv product / service) > > a guy in Michigan was arrested while snagging the wifi from a coffee shop, that broadcasts free wifi without a password…which is a felony…the police walked up to him as he surfed in his car in the parking lot near the coffee shop > > he faced a $10,000 fine and 5 years in jail; he opted to plead guilty and pay $400 and to do 40 hours of community service > [Fox News - Breaking News Updates | Latest News Headlines | Photos & News Videos](http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,276720,00.html) I’m kind of glad I bought something from the drive through before using the Starbucks wifi in their parking lot now.. Officer sir, here’s my caffe mocha and reciept. ---
**Author:** ![Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/96bed5/32.png) [@Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patty_O_Furniture)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2012, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-wifi/641902/32 "2012-11-25T02:46:11Z")
> [@AndyLee](#): > > The library in Chicago has it, but only if you’re in the building. They have free water fountains and restrooms too, but only if you’re in the building. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-wifi/641902.md?page=1)