When you’re traveling for business, finding Wi-Fi that consistently works and is free can feel like a never-ending struggle. Too many Wi-Fi “hot spots” are not actually that “hot” when it comes to getting work done and can leave you frustrated with slow speeds. Luckily, there are actually a ton of ways you can get consistently strong and free Wi-Fi in any city these days. Let us show you how with these five great ideas that might just surprise you.
Tether
In this day of ultra-fast 4G connections, tethering your phone to your computer can be an excellent way to get Wi-Fi anywhere you have cellular service. With super-fast speeds that can be just as good as most Wi-Fi connections, tethering is probably the most mobile way to get consistently good Wi-Fi no matter where you are since all you need is your phone and a cable (which you probably have on you already). The downside of tethering is that it can use a lot of your data plan if you’re not careful or have a low monthly data allowance.
Use Your Cable Company
Some people don’t realize that services that they already subscribe to come with a series of Wi-Fi hotspots they can access all over the country. Time Warner, Brighthouse, Comcast, Cox, and more all have hotspots for when you’re on the go. So without even doing anything, you can access Wi-Fi across the country. Just go on CableWiFi, pick your provider, and see a coverage map of all their mobile hotspots.
Use an App
It’s 2015, the era of apps, so naturally there are mobile apps that will help you find a Wi-Fi hotspot no matter where you are. For example, Instabridge is one of the world’s largest hotspot communities and allows users access to Wi-Fi networks and passwords all over the world, and it works for both Android or iOS. WeFi Pro is another fantastic app, only for Android, that has a network of over 300 Million hotspots worldwide for you to connect to.
Find a Global Chain
If none of the other options works out, there are always the big global chains, such as Starbucks, McDonalds, etc. that provide free Wi-Fi for customers in the store. While in most cases you do have to buy something, you can sit there for as long as you’d like and the Wi-Fi is usually pretty fast. Plus, you know that there is bound to be one of these stores somewhere nearby no matter where you are.
Just Ask
If all else fails, just ask for the Wi-Fi network and password wherever you are. Most restaurants, coffee shops, conference halls, and cafes have Wi-Fi networks these days, and the people who work there are usually happy to give you the login details. While this is the least consistent of these options (because there is no accounting for the speed of the Wi-Fi), it’s still a good method to get a least some internet while you are traveling.
But if you want the best way to get consistently good and free Wi-Fi in any city, try staying in luxury corporate housing instead of a hotel. Hotel Wi-Fi can be pricey and not actually very good. But at PC Housing, we promise Wi-Fi that is not only ultra fast, but also free, so you can stay connected without breaking the bank. Connect with us today to see our properties all over the United States and Canada.