Finding Free Wireless Internet Access (Wi-Fi) in Austin

Austin, Texas is one of the most wired cities in the United States. Wireless internet access is available free of charge in a variety of locations, including some of the usual suspects (coffeehouses, public libraries) as well as a few places you might not expect it (how many car washes in your neighborhood have wi-fi?). Although free wireless internet access isn't available everywhere in the city - yet - finding it is easy, courtesy of the Austin Wireless City Project.

The Austin Wireless City Project (http://www.austinwirelesscity.org) is a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing the availability of free wireless internet access throughout the city of Austin. Their web site maintains a list of locations ("hotspots") providing wireless internet access in and around Austin - mainly libraries, restaurants, clubs, and bookstores, but with a few surprises here and there. Listings for each location include the street address, a telephone number, a link to the location's web site, a link to a map of the location, and the status of internet access at each location ("online," "offline," "flakey," etc.).

In keeping with its mission to expand free wireless access throughout the city, the Austin Wireless City Project helps area businesses and other locations to establish free hotspots. In fact, they have gone as far as to approach venues that might serve as prime hotspot locations. Contact the project to discuss bringing access to a particular location in Austin.

Not all free wi-fi locations are registered with the Austin City Wireless Project. Auscillate.com also sponsors a web site for community members to share tips about where to get online for free (http://auscillate.com/wireless/austin). Nationwide sites such as the Wi-Fi-FreeSpot Directory (http://www.wififreespot.com) may also be helpful in your search. Before you take your laptop out, check these web sites for updates, as new hotspots are being added frequently.