How to Get Free Internet

Public Wi-Fi Hotspots

A WiFi hotspot is a physical location where people can access the internet using WiFi technology. Such hotspots are very often created by businesses to attract more customers. In fact, the chances are that your favorite coffee shop or fast-food place has one — you just need to know how to use it to get free internet.

In most cases, connecting to a public WiFi hotspot is just connecting to any other WiFi network. All you have to do is select the WiFi hotspot in the network settings and log in. Sometimes a webpage will open and ask you to agree to certain terms of service or type in your user credentials.

Public WiFi hotspots are perfect for remaining productive while on the go, but they tend to be plagued by many connectivity issues, from poor download and upload speeds to connection drops.

There are also several major security and privacy implications associated with the use of public WiFi hotspots, and we talk in more detail about them in the last chapter of this article.

Connect2Compete Internet Program

Started by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and EveryoneOn.org, Connect2Compete, sometimes written incorrectly as Connect to Compete, is a program whose goal is to bring high-speed internet access to low-income communities across the United States.

Any low-income family that has a child in school or anyone living in any of the over 14,000 zip codes where the annual median income is under $35,000 can apply to join the program. Connect2Compete is not exactly free, but it’s considerably cheaper than most commercial internet services.

Most Connect2Compete members pay less than $10 a month, and they are guaranteed bandwidth of at least 1 Mbps. That’s fast enough for casual internet browsing, email, streaming music and watching videos online in standard definition — a pretty good deal for just $10 a month.

In addition to affordable internet access, Connect2Compete also offers affordable computer classes and refurbished computers. Overall, it’s an excellent alternative to municipal WiFi hotspots for people who are wondering how to get free internet at home.

Which ISPs offer no-cost internet access?

Several internet service providers (ISPs) have stepped forward to offer no-cost internet access, mainly targeting low-income households, students, and underserved communities, as part of their efforts to bridge the digital divide.

For instance, Comcast's Internet Essentials program provides complimentary or significantly discounted Internet access to eligible families and individuals, including students and seniors, enhancing their educational and employment opportunities. Similarly, Spectrum offers affordable high-speed internet service to qualifying low-income households through its Internet Assist program, ensuring that more people can connect to the online world without financial strain.

T-Mobile's Project 10Million takes a unique approach by offering free internet access to millions of students across the U.S. to support educational equity. This initiative includes free wireless hotspots and high-speed data, as well as access to at-cost tablets and laptops.

While the specifics of each program vary, the common goal is clear: to make internet access universally available, supporting community development, education, and access to critical services. Through these efforts, ISPs are playing a crucial role in ensuring that the Internet is accessible to all, regardless of economic background.