Public wi fi access

Should cities offer free public WIFI access to their citizens despite its high cost?

Many cities all over the world are implementing free public wifi networks. Should internet access become a human right? Find a list of cities with free wifi and join the discussion on the pros and cons of providing this service.

Should cities offer free public WIFI access?

The Internet is becoming so important in our lives that many people consider Internet access as important as water or power supply. Some even argue that internet access should be declared a human right because it enables people to educate themselves, access job offers, and connect with other people. However, in many places, cell phone contracts and data allowances are very expensive, so people with lower incomes may be unable to access the Internet, which negatively affects their ability to improve their situation. The (lack of) Internet can create a very deep divide in some societies and contribute to the persistance of inequality and poverty. This is why many analysts and advocates of economic and social development claim that cities should offer free public WiFi access to everyone. Currently, many cities all over the world are already providing this service to their citizens in many public places. But there are also costs and risks to consider which are deterring other local authorities from implementing similar initiatives. Find out more about the pros and cons of providing free wifi and tell us which is, in your opinion, the right decision.

Benefits of free public WiFi

The provision of city wide WiFi services has several advantages. An increasing number of citizens use the Internet constantly in their education, professional and social lives. People check regularly their emails and Whatsapp messages. They use the Internet to find shops, restaurants and museums, to compare product prices and to get a taxi. Free public WiFi contributes to a better connected society and more agile interactions between citizens and business.

Any mayor or government authority implementing this public service would see its popularity boosted immediately. Tourists and visitors in business trips would also find their stay more pleasant. The reputation of the city providing such a service free of charge would certainly increase. A convenient and technologically advanced city may also attract people to move in or visit. A good way to avoid expensive roaming charges.

By offering free wireless connection governments are helping those with less income and resources. These initiatives can be considered tools for empowerment and social inclusion, as not everyone can afford to buy a computer or get an expensive phone contract with a data plan. Free public WiFi hotspots could help people from underprivileged backgrounds to have access to potentially life-changing information, including job opportunities, health advice, online courses, etc.

Costs and risks of public WiFi

But such a service is costly. It’s not just about installing some hotspots all over the town. It’s a technical operation that means investing in infrastructure and networks and dedicating staff to manage it. In other words, offering free public WiFi access will result in a tax increase for all citizens or in cuts in other services provided by the city council.

And what about the citizens of small towns or remote places in which creating a network of hotspots would be too difficult or expensive to create? Asymmetric free public WiFi services could end up widening the gap between rural and urban areas.

The lack of security for users is another concern for political authorities and civil society groups. A public WiFi connection can be used easily by hackers to steal personal information. It can also represent a threat for public safety, as anyone could access the network without being properly identified. This could potentially facilitate the activities of terrorists and other types of criminals.

Finally, by providing free internet to their citizens, governments and municipalities are harming the economic interests of Internet Service Providers (ISPs). ISPs claim that government intervention in the communications market distorts competition and disintencivizes investment. As a result normal evolution of this sector may be slowed down.

List of cities with free WiFi

This is a list with some of the most famous cities offering municipal WiFi services:

• Amherst (USA): downtown
• Balanga City (Philippines): downtown and in tourist attractions
• Bangkok (Thailand): free WiFi at more than 23,000 hotspots
• Binghamton (USA): downtown
• Blackpool (UK): 1.6 km around city center
• Bologna (Italy): historical city center
• Brașov (Romania): entire city
• Bristol (UK): 3 km around city center
• Calbayog City (Philippines): downtown
• Cedar Rapids (USA): downtown
• Decatur (USA): downtown
• Delhi (India): free WiFi in Khan Market, Connaught Place and New Delhi Railway Station
• Dubuque (USA): downtown
• El Paso (USA): downtown
• Englewood (USA): downtown
• Escondido (USA): downtown
• Geneva (Switzerland): full city
• Greensboro (USA): downtown
• Guadalajara (Mexico): 150 parks
• Hattiesburg (USA): downtown
• Helisgborg (Sweden): 220 locations
• Heraklion (Greece): city squares
• Houston (USA): downtown
• Indianapolis (USA): downtown
• Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia): in major commercial areas
• La Plata (Argentina): city center
• Leiden (Netherland): city and region
• Lexington (USA): downtown and major streets outside downtown
• Linden (USA): downtown
• Malang (Indonesia): on public transportation and resource centers
• Miami Beach (USA): covers most of the city outdoors
• Milan (Italy): historical city center and Malpensa Airport
• Montreal (Canada): downtown
• Naperville (USA): downtown
• Newton (USA): downtown
• Norwich (UK): city center and university
• Ocala (USA): downtown
• Paris (France): in libraries, museums and many parks
• Plovdiv (Bulgaria): downtown
• Powell (USA): downtown
• Quebec City (Canada): downtown
• Roman (Romania): entire city and nearby villages
• San Jose (USA): downtown
• Santa Clara (USA): outdoors in most of the town
• Santa Monica (USA): outdoors in most of the town
• Saskatoon (Canada): downtown and university campus
• Shawinigan (Canada): downtown
• Sherbrooke (Canada): downtown
• Springfield, Ohio (USA): downtown
• Sud Mennucci (Brazil): downtown
• Tallinn (Estonia): capital city and most of the country
• The Dalles (USA): downtown
• Trento (Italy): historical city center
• Vatra Dornei (Romania): 85% of city covered
• Velika Gorica (Croatia): city center and nearby villages
• Vienna (Austria): at major train stations and aeroport
• Windsor (Canada): core downtown
• York (UK): city center, museums, libraries and university
• Yorktown (USA): downtown
• Zrenjanin (Serbia): city center

If you know of any other cases, tell us in the comment section (below) and we will update this list.

Final questions: A network of free WiFi hotspots is undeniably a service which many people would love, in particular those with lower incomes. Moreover, there are already dozens of successful experiences across the globe. However, such a service entails some security risks and high costs. How would city councils fund the service? Would other basic services pay the cost of free wireless connetion? Is free public WiFi a good way to curb inequality? Shouldn’t it be restricted to people with lower income?

Should cities offer free public WiFi access to their citizens despite its high cost? Vote and explain why you think this should or not be a priority.

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How to use public Wi-Fi networks safely, and protect your data and information

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• You can use public Wi-Fi networks safely if you stick to networks you know, always visit https secure sites, turn off AirDrop and File Sharing, and even use a VPN.
• Public WiFi networks are convenient when you’re away from home, but they can also leave you and your data at risk if you’re not careful.
• It’s important to take a few easy precautions to keep your information safe when you use public networks.

Using Wi-Fi in your own home is usually safe and secure. You know who set it up and who is on the network at any given time, and unless everyone in your home is trying to stream Netflix at once, it’s usually fast and efficient.

Public Wi-Fi networks are a separate beast. Logging into one is a roll of the dice — it’s probably safe, but there’s really no way of knowing. Joining a public network could mean exposing your information to strangers who may happen to be on the same network, or in rarer cases, cybercriminals.

How to use public Wi-Fi safely

You don’t have to avoid using public Wi-Fi altogether — you just need to be smart about how you use it.

Stick to networks you know

Whenever possible, it’s good to connect to familiar networks. Wi-Fi at a friend’s or family member’s house is more than likely safe, for example. But, if you need to connect to Wi-Fi in an unfamiliar place, try a public network like one at a Starbucks.

Whichever public networks you do connect to when you’re out, try to keep them consistent — the fewer networks you use your information to sign up for, the less chance you have of that information going somewhere you don’t want it.

In general, be wary of public networks that ask for too much information to join. Also ask yourself, if a network is open to everyone, what are the people running that network getting in return? For a business like Starbucks, or for companies like Comcast — who run Xfinity hotspots for their customers — that benefit is obvious. If it’s less clear, it might be because they’re using the hotspot as a data mine.

To that end, also make sure you read the terms and conditions, if they exist, of unfamiliar networks, especially dubious ones. If you’re not careful, you could end up signing away the right to your privacy.

If all else fails, and there are no networks you feel you can safely connect to, try using your phone as a hotspot instead.

Make sure you use HTTPS

When you use the internet from a safe network, it doesn’t really matter which letters come before the website address in your browser. On a public network, however, it becomes very important.

If the website you’re on has http at the beginning, you could be leaving yourself open to cyber attacks and information thieves — it means your connection is not encrypted. Encrypted, safe connections will have https at the beginning, not just http.

Google Chrome will alert you if your connection isn’t secure — with other browsers, however, you’ll have to remember to check, especially when you’re not on a secure network.

Note: According to the FTC, most mobile apps and sites don’t encrypt data properly. If you’re trying to use the internet on your phone when you’re out, as far as privacy is concerned, it’s better to stick to your cellular network.

Try not to use AirDrop or File Sharing

AirDrop and File Share are easy ways to share files from your computer to someone else’s over Wi-Fi, without having to send an email or other sort of message. This feature is great in offices or homes, but can be dangerous on a public network.

While it’s always funny to see those online stories about people randomly sharing funny or interesting files to strangers’ devices, it’s probably more prudent to make sure this can’t happen to you. You can turn off AirDrop or File Share in your computer’s settings, under «Network and Sharing» for PCs, or «Sharing» for Macs.

Additionally, many computers will ask if you want to «trust» a new network when you first join it. You should only ever agree to trust home networks that you’re certain are secure.

For extra security, use a VPN

A VPN, or virtual private network, encrypts data traveling to or from your device, and connects you to a private server. This means that it’s far more difficult for people to look at or steal your data.

A VPN is usually something you have to pay for — there are free ones out there, but any that you find are likely to be a front for data collection or other potentially suspicious marketing practices. If you’re the type of person who travels a lot, it might be worth investing in a VPN.

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