When you travel a lot, you rely on either your portable hotspot (which I recommend all travelers have) or public Wi-Fi areas to keep you connected. When traveling internationally it is even more important to know where to find a reliable Wi-Fi connection. The below guest post will give you some idea about where you will find great Wi-Fi coverage when traveling abroad.
Wireless coverage is fast becoming ubiquitous and you can find it everywhere from your local cafe to your commute to work. Some cities, however, are pioneering the Wi-Fi revolution. Here's just a few of the most technologically advanced and forward thinking locations when it comes to internet coverage.
Tel Aviv, in Israel, provides free Wi-Fi hotspots for inhabitants and visitors. Called the ‘free_tlv' network, it is comprised of eighty connection points at popular tourist attractions, beaches and parks. The hotspots are throughout the city, including Jaffa's old city and the Mediterranean promenade, with additional hotspots being implemented all the time.
Glamorous New York is a hotbed for Wi-Fi hotspots. In 2013, New York announced the introduction of free Wi-Fi to over 95 blocks of Harlem and 110th¬-138th street. This service is already well in the process of being rolled out, and will be finished by May. This doesn't stop many New Yorkers from getting their internet from the many cafes and restaurants that offer a connection. If you're ever in New York, make sure to check out one of the many websites that provide maps of all the free Wi-Fi areas.
As soon as you step foot on the tarmac, you can connect to the internet in Helsinki, Finland. As visitors hurry to escape the cold, they can enjoy the benefits from Wi-Fi in nearly all major shopping centres and cafes, leaving the Wi-Fi located in most city squares to the climate-savvy locals. Available in public buildings and buses, this internet doesn't even require a password. Even trams will provide you with your much needed connection.
China’s Macau is matching their neighbours when it comes to wireless internet. There are around 150 hotspots dotted around the city, which allow free internet access for up to 45 minutes in one session, before requiring the user to log off and log back in. Unfortunately, much of this internet is filtered and might not allow the same level of access that many tourists are use to.
You might expect that Hong Kong, the cutting edge, near-futuristic city, would be one of the most advanced when it comes to wireless internet. You would be right. With over 12,000 hotspots city-wide, it's much harder finding a place without coverage than with. Many tourists take advantage of GovHK, the free Wi-Fi network, which is located in visitor centres, ferries, and other tourist attractions. If you're looking for faster speed, MTR WiFi provides even better internet if you buy the Tourist Sim for HK$69.
Wi-Fi in Australia is constantly becoming faster and more freely available. Perth has recently introduced widespread Wi-Fi coverage over the majority of the city's shopping, business, and restaurant districts, with big plans to extend their reach even further. Brisbane is making great strides as well, with the Brisbane City Council introducing free wireless internet in popular parks around the city, as well as on public transport. Companies like My Port provide high-quality Wi-Fi solutions to businesses and venues throughout Queensland, from the Sunshine Coast airport to Brisbane City Hall. It's not too far-fetched to imagine a future of constant Wi-Fi coverage wherever we go.
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