What's the best way to get wireless internet in London and other parts of the UK?

April 15, 2010 11:31 AM

What's the best way to get wireless internet in London and other parts of the UK?

I've seen references to iPass and to TheCloud. Have you used them while traveling? What do you recommend for wireless access?

I'm willing to pay for it, and would rather pay a flat rate than PAYG, but can do that if I have to. We'll be in London, Liverpool, Glasgow, and a few other places in the UK for two weeks. Ideally there's something that could be used from a Blackberry, an iPod Touch, and a laptop.

Or is getting a new SIM for my Blackberry and tethering it the best option? What will get me the kind of full wireless connection that I have in the States, without having the folks at HQ go through the roof over my roaming charges?

I have a sub-question on roaming charges on the Blackberry, which is that I've been informed by IT that I should minimize data transfers while traveling, as it's ridiculously expensive. If I'm on a wifi hotspot, will my corporate account also be charged for any data transfers and web browsing?

posted by gingerbeer to Travel & Transportation around London, England (8 answers total)

I believe McDonald's is still giving away free WiFi in its restaurants throughout England, if you don't mind sitting in one for a bit.
posted by backseatpilot at 11:39 AM on April 15, 2010

In terms of paying for access check out

www.btopenzone.co.uk

as for a SIM take a look at

www.three.co.uk

they even sell very cheap MiFi devices so all your gadgets could connect to the one connection.
posted by moochoo at 11:44 AM on April 15, 2010

There are various free wi-fi spots, in addition to the usual Starbucks/Micky Dees places. Tate Modern has just started doing it and you can get free wi-fi at the British Library, for example. I am sure that there are others.
posted by TheRaven at 12:17 PM on April 15, 2010

I used iPass while traveling through Asia two years ago and was shocked at how widely available it was. I'd imagine that availability would be a lot better in the UK.

If you can rent/get a cheap MiFi device, that would be the best option IMO.
posted by special-k at 12:45 PM on April 15, 2010

Wetherspoons pubs are everywhere and have free wifi. The food is probably marginally better than McDonalds, and the seats are more comfortable.
posted by Lebannen at 4:06 PM on April 15, 2010

I'm in the UK right now bemoaning the wifi on my ipad. btopenzone gladly took my money without actually giving me wifi so I am learly of them now. Basically, I look for free wifi (starbucks, pubs, apple stores) and check for free networks on my iphone. I don't think all MacDonalds here have wifi (at least none that I have checked). Sorry I couldn't be more positive.
posted by saucysault at 5:47 PM on April 16, 2010

An update: we're here now; I'm using ipass and gingerbeer is using boingo, and so far they've been okay (not awesome) at finding and logging us in via partnered sites. We're going to track down a spot today where we can sit for a while and be internetty. The weather is stunning!
posted by rtha at 1:36 AM on April 23, 2010

Hi. We're home now. Using ipass connect, bought in the States before we left, on my ipod touch ended up working out pretty well for nearly everywhere I needed it to work. It gave me access to btopenzone, ibahn, tmobile, and a few others, and it nearly always worked without a hitch. At only $9.95 for a month (no contract), it was well worth it.
posted by rtha at 12:34 PM on May 7, 2010