Table 12.1 shows the national U.S. networks and provides telephone numbers and Web addresses. This contact information may be useful if you want to do further research, or if you decide you want to sign up with a specific network. It could also help if you are traveling to an area that is particularly well served by a specific provider.
Table 12.1. Wi-Fi Networks
Network | URL | Phone | Comments |
|---|
AT&T Wireless | www.attwireless.com/business/features/communication/servicehotspots.jhtml | 888-290-4613 | AT&T's Wi-Fi service is.called "goport." Information about goport can be hard to find without the Web address in this table. |
Boingo Wireless | www.boingo.com | 800-880-4117 | A pioneer Wi-Fi network, and still considered one of the best. Great roaming policies. |
Sprint PCS | www.sprint.com/pcsbusiness/products_services/data/wifi/index.html | 888-703-9514 | Rolling out quickly based on existing infrastructure. |
SurfHere | www.csd.toshiba.com/cgi-bin/tais/hs/hs_home.jsp | 877-429-6385 | Affiliated with Toshiba, SurfHere provides access in stores including McDonald's and The UPS Store. |
T-Mobile Hotspot | www.t-mobile.com/hotspot/ | 800-981-8563 | The leading Wi-Fi provider, building infrastructure in Starbucks stores and elsewhere. T-Mobile is the one everyone else wants to beat. |
Verizon | www.verizon.net/wifi/ | 888-842-9275 | Currently provides hotspots mainly in the metropolitan NY area; most are free to Verizon DSL customers. |
Wayport | www.wayport.com | 877-929-7678 | An early pioneer in providing Wi-Fi hotspots, now providing infrastructure in McDonald's and elsewhere. |