Free Wireless Internet UK hotspots & cheap 3G mobile web

If you want web access on the go, there are thousands of free, legal wi-fi hotspots around the UK. And for the more avid user, 3G mobile broadband packages give you access at a decent price (or possibly even free).

This is a detailed guide to getting internet access while out and about, including info on wireless hotspots and the cheapest mobile broadband packages.

Wi-fi or mobile broadband?

There are two kinds of al fresco web access: Wireless internet and Mobile broadband:

1. Wireless internet. Now more commonly known as wi-fi, this allows your computer to connect to a broadband connection through the air, without wires, provided you're within distance of the access point. This is the most MoneySaving way to get online, as there are 100s of free hotspots.

2. Mobile broadband. This uses your network provider's 3G mobile signal in the air to connect you anywhere. It requires a special piece of hardware called a 'mobile broadband dongle'.

Here's a rundown of the different options, with solutions to suit you:

• Occasional access, on the go?

  Consider:
  Free Wi-fi hotspots
  Ad-funded 3G broadband

• Reliable access, on the go?

  Consider:
  Ad-funded 3G broadband
  PAYG mobile broadband
  Contract mobile broadband

• Home access without a landline?

  Consider:
  Contract mobile broadband

Access 100s of free wi-fi hotspots

Wireless internet (or wi-fi) allows your computer to send and receive data through thin air, without being tied to a computer or a router.

Almost all new computers and laptops have wireless capability built-in, so you can access wi-fi hotspots and start browsing immediately. If they don't, most can be upgraded with a USB wireless network adaptor (which cost as little as £5 - find one using the MegaShopBot).

What is a wi-fi hotspot?

A wi-fi hotspot is simply an area in which you can get a wireless network signal. There are thousands spanning the country, many of which are free.

Hotspots are great because you'll get a decent, reliable signal, and you won't eat into your mobile broadband/phone download limit. In any built-up area, it's unlikely you'll be far from free wireless access.

Warning! Do check it's free wireless, and you're not just using someone's private connection (it's illegal to use non-public services without permission).

High street hotspots

First off, if you're in town, you can find free, no password necessary wireless access at these high street mainstays (as well as local coffee shops, etc).

Note, though the wi-fi is free, you may have to buy something or sit and eat in the restaurants/pubs. Also, some may only give you access for a limited time.

Sign up to automatically access O2 Wi-fi hotspots

O2 hosts thousands of wi-fi hotspots around the UK. You DON'T need to be an O2 customer to access them. It's the largest free wireless network, allowing free wi-fi access in many of the chains above.

Considering how large the network is, it's well worth registering in advance. Then set up your phone to automatically connect to the wi-fi and it'll pick up the signal when you're in an O2 area. Or use the O2 hotspot finder to find a free hotspot near you.

Special customer-only deals

Depending who offers your home broadband and/or mobile phone service, you may be able to get free access to wireless hotspots around the UK. Here's some more info:

Plan your route before you go. If you've web access and a few spare minutes at home, there are a host of sites that list wireless hotspots, and a few tools to help you find them. One of the most popular (and hence up-to-date), is JiWire, which allows you to type in a postcode or place name and search for local spots amongst the 25,000 or so on its database.

It's also worth checking My Hotspots, Free Hotspot, and Hotspot Locations for finesse. Where necessary, be sure to limit your search to hotspots listed as "only free".

Warning! Beware cyber hacking and thieves. While the existence of wireless networks accessible to everybody is undoubtedly a great thing, be wary of cyber hacking and thieves.

Don't enter any secure info when using public wi-fi spots, as there's a risk it can be intercepted by others on the network and used for identity theft.

Also, it's easy to get lost in the web. The presence of a few people focused on their laptops is a big draw for pickpockets and bag thieves, so keep an eye on your stuff at all times.

Mobile broadband

Instead of connecting through a landline, mobile broadband makes use of the mobile phone networks to send data, meaning you can connect wherever there's a mobile signal. Not to be confused with mobile internet, which is internet access on your phone, mobile broadband packages use USB dongles as a modem and connect to the web wirelessly.

Mobile broadband's generally not as fast as home broadband, so not really suitable for streaming music or films, but it's fine for emails and general surfing. For most, coverage is the most important factor when choosing a mobile broadband package.

Choosing a mobile broadband package

There are a few crucial things to consider when deciding on a 3G package:

Cheapest mobile broadband dongles

Most network providers now offer mobile broadband tariffs, but service varies dramatically. If possible, ask to try a friend's dongle at home before investing in your own, as speeds and coverage can differ widely, even in small areas.

Pay monthly mobile broadband

Three*: Cheapest overall£8.89/month, 1GB monthly data allowance

For those that use under 1GB month, the basic Three* mobile broadband package should be more than enough. It costs £8.89/month on an 24-month contract, with a £4.99 charge for the Huawei Premium dongle.

Three claims to have 97% coverage for calls, texts and mobile internet, but see its coverage checker.

• Monthly cost: £8.89/month
• Download allowance: 1GB/month
• Additional usage costs: 10.2p/MB
• Contract length: 24 months
• Modem and connection fee: Free

Vodafone*: Best for low users£19 upfront, £3/month for 250MB, 30-day rolling contract

Very low users should consider the £3/month deal from Vodafone*, which gives you 250MB to use in a month. It's on a 30-day rolling contract, which you can cancel at any time, and there's a £19 one-off cost for the dongle.

Go over the monthly 250MB limit and you'll pay £2 for each additional 250MB of data, each day you use it.

If you're considering a Vodafone mobile broadband package, use its coverage checker first to check you can get a decent signal in your area.

• Monthly cost: £3/month
• Download allowance: 250MB/month
• Contract length: 30-day rolling
• Modem and connection fee: £19
• Additional usage costs: £2 for 250MB per day (expires at midnight)

T-Mobile*: Good for high users £15/month, 5GB monthly data allowance

For £15/month, the Wireless Pointer from T-Mobile* gives you a whopping 5GB of data, on an 18-month contract.

It's our top pick because it gives you the most GB for your pound, though if you're a low data user there are cheaper packages.

T-Mobile says its mobile broadband signal covers 80% of the UK - see its coverage checker. You won't be able to use the Wireless Pointer abroad unless you pay for an internet roaming add-on.

• Monthly cost: £15/month
• Download allowance: 5GB/month
• Contract length: 18 months
• Modem and connection fee: Free
• Additional usage costs: No additional costs, but usage will be restricted

Vodafone*: Fast, reliable provider£15/month, 2GB monthly data allowance

If you're looking for a mobile broadband deal on the Vodafone* network, you can get 2GB of monthly download allowance for £15/month. It's currently half price for three months though, so it's equivalent to £13.75/month over the 18-month contract.

You'll also get 2GB of BT Wi-fi wireless usage, which you can use for free access to BT Openzone hotspots while out and about.

Ofcom's research into mobile broadband speeds in 2011 found Vodafone was one of the faster providers, alongside O2.

If you're considering a Vodafone mobile broadband package, use its coverage checker first to check you can get a decent signal in your area.

• Monthly cost: equiv £13.75/month
• Download allowance: 2GB/month
• Contract length: 18 months
• Modem and connection fee: Free
• Additional usage costs: £2 for 250MB per day (expires at midnight)

Pay-as-you-go mobile broadband

If you're not a heavy downloader and you only need occasional access to mobile broadband, for example while travelling, then it makes no sense to pay monthly. Instead, get a pay-as-you-go service. Bear in mind, these usually come with some kind of upfront cost for the hardware.

Giffgaff*: Sim-only1GB to use in 30 days for £7.50 - Sim only

If you've an old unlocked dongle, the best option is Giffgaff's* 1GB Gigabag. For £7.50 you'll get 1GB of data to use in a month. If you run out before the month's up, just top it up with another Gigabag.

There's no monthly contract, so no credit checks when you sign up, and you can get a standard Sim for a dongle or a micro Sim for an iPad.

• Monthly cost: £7.50
• Download allowance: 1GB of data - 30 days
• Additional usage costs: N/A
• Contract length: N/A
• Modem and connection fee: Not included

Three*From £10.49 for 1GB data to use in 30 days

The Three Mobile* pay-as-you-go offering can be tailored to suit your needs. Prices start from £10.49 for 1GB of data to use in 30 days. Here's a breakdown of the other pay-as-you-go deals:

• 1GB broadband starter kit. Get 1GB of data to use in 30 days for £10.49.
• 3GB broadband starter kit. Get 3GB of data to use in three months for £20.49.
• 12GB broadband starter kit. Get 12GB of data to use in 12 months for £70.49.

If you go over your download allowance, you can top up your account with a pay-as-you-go broadband add-on. The cheapest add-on is £2.99 for 500MB (must be used within 48 hours), going up to £25 for another 7GB. With the exception of the £2.99 add-on, the add-ons do not have an expiry date.

• Monthly cost: N/A
• Download allowance: From 1GB of data to use in 30 days
• Contract length: N/A
• Modem and connection fee: Included
• Additional usage costs: Add-ons start from £2.99 for 500MB (must be used within 48 hours)

Tips to minimise data usage

As mobile broadband is a lot more expensive than home broadband, you should try to minimise your data usage wherever possible. It's also worth installing a free bandwidth monitor like tbbMeter, Rokario or Netmeter to be doubly sure you don't go over the limit. Here are a few tricks:

1. Turn off automatic updates. This is probably the most important way to save your precious download allowance, and the easiest way to get caught out. Many programs, as well as operating systems themselves, routinely check for available updates and download them. Downloads can run to hundreds of megabytes; not ideal if that's all you have to play with. Turn them back on when you have the bandwidth though, or you might leave security holes open on your machine.

2. Turn off images when you surf. If you're content to do without pictures when browsing (even just temporarily) then it's usually easy to disable them. In Internet Explorer, click Tools, then the 'advanced' tab, and scroll down the list to Multimedia. In that section, uncheck the 'show pictures' box and while you're there, the 'Play animations in webpages' box. The procedure's similar in all browsers.

3. Change your email settings. If you currently manage your emails with a program like Outlook or Thunderbird (and you get a lot of unnecessary ones), you may save data by signing up to a web-based service like MS Live Hotmail, Yahoo Mail or Gmail. Re-direct some emails to the web-based account, and if a friend decides to send you party pictures when you're away in Spain, you can choose not to download them 'til you get back. (see Martin's blog for a data roaming horror story).

   You could also change your settings to download headers only, or else set up filters which cut out less important or larger emails. How to do so will depend on the software you favour, but most offer detailed guides.

4. Get rid of ad/spyware. Adware and spyware programs, which usually manage to sneak onto your machine without you noticing, can use up your valuable allowance by talking to their leaders out in cyberspace. They can also leave your computer prone to attack by all manner of other nasties, so it's worth downloading a free tool to get rid of them (on another connection if possible). Find one in the Free Antivirus guide.

Can you get cashback on top?

It's often possible to grab extra cashback on top when you sign up for a mobile broadband package, though this isn't done directly via the network provider.

To get it you need sign up via a specialist cashback websites like Topcashback. These use affiliate links to generate revenue, and if they get paid when you get it, they give some or all of it to you.

Always check that what you're about to buy is an identical product, clear any cookies if you've already clicked through, and remember as the cashback isn't coming from the product provider, it's never 100% guaranteed. You're playing the system to an extent, and there can be problems.

With this in mind, it's generally best to pick the right product first and view the cashback as an added extra. For more information, pros and cons, and to find which cashback providers pay most for any product, see the Top Cashback Sites guide.

Sometimes there are special higher rates negotiated for the short term. These tend to have a higher payout reliability. When they happen we'll list them below and include info in the weekly email.