the growing trend for free wi-fi hotspots is starting to affect the largest cities, with london and chicago the latest to gain such facilities.

dublin-based free-hotspot.com, launched only two weeks ago, has begun offering free wi-fi in 25 locations in london. the service is aimed at business people and travellers and is funded by advertising – the same model google would adopt should it win the contract to build the san francisco metrozone.

free-hotspot.com is also in the process of publishing a directory with the locations of its hotspots. the service is free not only to consumers, but also to venue owners, as the company installs the equipment for free. customers can use the service without registering or providing personal information on condition they watch a 20- second advert from a specially booked sponsor for each location.


across the atlantic in chicago, tantus networks is to launch 500 free hotspots under the brand wiflux, which will also be free to end users and operators of the hotspot venues. tantus plans to fund wiflux services through its adflux division, which sells location-based ads. tantus also operates a wireless service for hotels called innflux, which has deployments in over 350 hotels.

here's the directory of hotspot locations.



by matt lewis of arcchart limited. this is reprinted with full permission from their "blueprint" publication, available on subscription from arcchart