Free Wireless internet access seems to part of a growing trend. The
Wi-Fi-FreeSpot Directory blog reported adding over 500 new free locations in the first 3 months of 2006.

Why Offer free Wireless Access?

For hotels, guest houses, pubs, coffee shops and similar it is a very low cost way of providing a very valuable service. It is low cost because the businesses concerned already have a broadband connection to the Internet and sharing it with their guests doesn’t cost them anything.

It is also high perceived value as most travellers these days want internet access anywhere they are and this trend will increase with VOIP Wireless phones that are currently entering the market.

Wireless Community Networks and Wireless Stealing

Because most people using WI-FI home Networks are also attached to the Internet using Broadband many have deliberately left their networks open so that anyone within range can access the Internet via their home wireless network. This types of access points have become known as Wireless community networks

There are even many more who because of lack of knowledge have unknowing left their home wireless networks open and hence are vulnerable to what is known as wireless stealing. Where unknown to them others are accessing the Internet via their home network.

This can have the effect of slowing down their own Internet access it can also result in additional charges or cut-off as limits are exceeded (depends on Internet connection package type).

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