How to get Wi-Fi without an Internet provider
The Internet is an invaluable resource that most of us need on a daily basis. If you don’t have an internet connection at home, or you’re traveling to a place with no Wi-Fi or a weak connection, you might be wondering, “How can I get Wi-Fi right now?” If so, we’ve got you covered. Fortunately, there are a number of ways you can connect to Wi-Fi, depending on your unique situation.
Most internet providers will provide you with a modem and router when you register for an internet tariff.
What is Wi-Fi and how do you get it?
Wi-Fi is a wireless internet network that uses high-frequency signals to connect your devices to the internet. This is usually done using a modem and router that are connected to the Internet using cables; however, this can be achieved using other methods.
Most homes are connected to Wi-Fi by purchasing an internet plan from an internet service provider (ISP) and then installing an internet modem provided by the internet service provider. This modem can then be connected to a router (if not built-in), which will broadcast the Wi-Fi signal throughout your home. If you’re not at home or don’t have an ISP, you might have to get a little creative. Fortunately, connecting to the Internet without a home Internet provider is not impossible.
Is it really possible WI-FI without an internet provider?
While the most reliable way to stay connected at home for long periods of time is to sign up with an ISP, it’s not necessarily right for everyone. If you are away from home, between houses, or just don’t want to install the Internet because of additional costs and hidden fees or for some other reason, you can use Wi-Fi without an Internet provider. While it may require a little effort or creativity, getting Wi-Fi without an ISP is definitely possible.
Can we get free WI-FI using public networks?
Free Wi-Fi is becoming more available every day. As our world becomes more dependent on internet connectivity, more and more businesses, public spaces, and governments in certain states are trying to provide free Wi-Fi in as many places as possible.
If you live in a metropolitan or suburban area, chances are you have a number of public Wi-Fi networks near your home. Many people’s homes are even within a range of public or unsecured Wi-Fi signals.
If you’re not sure whether you live within range of a public Wi-Fi network signal or not, open your device’s Wi-Fi settings and see what networks are within range. If one of them isn’t secure, it won’t ask for a password when you try to connect to it.
Even if you don’t live near a public Wi-Fi signal, you will be able to connect to the Internet for free in most cafes and restaurants in the area. Some restaurants require you to make a purchase to access their Wi-Fi, but many don’t require a purchase of any kind—especially big chain restaurants like McDonald’s and Starbucks.
Warning on public Wi-Fi networks
While connecting to public Wi-Fi can be convenient—and free—there are some security issues. If someone wants to access your sensitive files, they can do so if they are connected to the same unsecured Wi-Fi signal as you. To protect your information and privacy when surfing on public Wi-Fi, you should install a virtual private network (VPN) on your computers, such as ExpressVPN or NordVPN. VPNs secure your connection by hiding your activity from your ISP and others connected to the same network. For a full list of our favorite VPNs, check out our list of the best VPNs of 2022.
Stunning Wi-Fi from your neighbors
This method may seem the same as the method above, but this only applies if your neighbors are using an unsecured Wi-Fi connection – which is unlikely. If you have a good relationship with your neighbors and your internet is only temporarily down, you can ask them to provide or share your password and explain your situation. However, if you don’t want to buy your own internet tariff and want to connect to your neighbor’s internet for a long time, you may have to negotiate an agreement with them.
First, you may want to consider how many people live in your neighbor’s house, what their internet speed is, and the connection speed from your home. If your neighbor lives alone or with their partner and you suspect they have fast internet that will feed all three of you without a problem, then they are an ideal candidate. You may be able to offer to pay monthly for a portion of the internet to access their Wi-Fi password. In this case, some nicer neighbors may let you join for free if they understand your situation. Either way, whether they want you to pay or not, you can still sometimes broker a deal that makes your monthly internet bill extremely manageable.
Using a mobile hotspot for Wi-Fi
While using a mobile hotspot isn’t necessarily free, there’s a good chance that your mobile phone plan already includes a mobile hotspot feature – so turning it on might equal “free” if you haven’t used it before.
Most new smartphones have a built-in hotspot feature that needs to be enabled when you connect to a service from your mobile service provider – provided you’re paying for a plan that includes a mobile hotspot. This will allow all nearby devices to connect wirelessly to the Internet.
Notes to keep in mind when using mobile hotspots:
You power your Wi-Fi connection with mobile data. If you have cheap or unlimited data, then a mobile hotspot is a great Wi-Fi option. For added security, you should set a password for your mobile hotspot. Failure to do so may expose you to bad actors and unwanted connections using your mobile data. Depending on your service provider, you may also be able to physically tether your devices as opposed to using Wi-Fi to share mobile data with other devices.
Wireless hotspot vs. cable tethering
To connect your mobile create a mobile hotspot, and connect your mobile to your throw USB cable. This can give you access to the Internet on your computer using data from your mobile device. This is a viable alternative to hotspots if you only have one device to connect to – it can also potentially provide faster speeds than Wi-Fi. You should also keep in mind that a physical tether uses your mobile data in the same way as a hotspot, so if you have a data limit, you should keep a mind the limit
Can you buy a portable Wi-Fi modem?
Most of us think of a Wi-Fi modem as being stuck in one place in your home, connected to the wall by a cable or phone line.