Mobile broadband Guide

UK wireless hotspots

Thursday 17 May, 2012

By Duncan Heaney

The UK has thousands of wireless hotspots that let you get online in coffee shops, hotels and train stations across the country.

Wireless hotspots are a convenient way to get online. There are paid-for and free hotspots all across the country, and if you're a mobile broadband customer you might even have Wi-Fi minutes included as part of your deal - letting you to get online without using up your precious mobile broadband allowance.

Hotspots are great because you get a fast, reliable and you're not restricted by the low download limits offered by mobile broadband. All you need to get online is a wireless enabled device such as a laptop, tablet like a new iPad, or even a gaming system like a PSP / PS Vita.

How to find a hotspot

There are loads of hotspots around. Urban areas like central London usually have loads of hotspots, but if you live in a more remote area you might have to go the lobby of a hotel or local pub to get access.

The main hotspot providers all provide coverage checkers on their websites, so if you’re looking to connect in a specific area, it’s worth checking these before you go.

Companies that provide Wi-Fi hotspots in the UK include:

BT Openzone wireless hotspots

BT Broadband's (www.BT.com) Openzone wireless service offers thousands of hotspots across the UK and many more international destinations. It offers subscriptions for regular users and UK and international minutes for occasional customers.

BT Broadband (www.BT.com), Orange (www.Orange.co.uk) and T-Mobile (www.T-Mobile.co.uk) customers get free, unlimited internet access through BT Openzone hotspots.

BT Openzone and broadband customers can also access the BT Fon network, a constantly growing network of BT Total Broadband customers willing to share a section of their private home internet connection.

You can check BT Openzone hotspot coverage with the BT Openzone Directory service on its website.

O2 wireless hotspots

O2 (www.O2.co.uk) offers hotspot internet at thousands of locations across the UK. It’s free to all - not just O2 customers. Just connect, set up an account and you’re ready to go.

O2 has deals to supply Wi-Fi in a number of popular bar and restaurant chains, including McDonalds, Costa coffee shops, Cafe Rouge, Harvester, Toby Carvery, Browns. O’Neills and All Bar One.

To see O2 hotspots in your area, use the O2 hotspot finder.

The Cloud wireless hotspots

The Cloud has hotspots all over the UK. The majority are free to use but a small number will only give 15 minutes free, and others may charge from the outset. Before you can use one of The Cloud’s hotspots, you’ll need to subscribe to the service first.

Because the Cloud is owned by BSkyB, Sky (www.Sky.com) customers get free, unlimited access to Cloud hotspots.

The Cloud has a deal with Nintendo to provide free Wi-Fi access to users with its 3DS console.

In addition, The Cloud has deals to provide Wi-Fi hotspots in a number of businesses, including Caffe Nero, Wetherspoons, Odeon, Pizza Express, Network Rail, Wagamamas and Greggs.

A word of warning

A word of warning must be given about using public access internet such as hotspots. Try to avoid putting in credit card details or using internet banking when connected to one of these networks, as there is a higher hacker risk. Also, as you’re in a public place, don’t forget people can see what you’re doing.

However, don’t let this put you off - millions of people regularly use Wi-Fi hotspots, which are an easy and convenient alternative to mobile broadband and internet cafés.