I pretty much summed up my question in the title...but I was jsut wondering if anyone has connected to any free wi-fi hotspots around sheffield . The subscriptions/vouchers for BT openzone are rediculous, or so i think.

what do the openzon subs cost?

My phone has wifi built in, and it's suprising how many access points it picks up when I'm driving around Sheffield.

The vast majority are for corporate networks requiring passwords, but there are quite a few (particularly in urban areas) where there is no encryption, and one can simply log on.

I can't remember quite where it is on the net, but there's a site which encourages users to leave their networks open so people can use them (with the appropriate firewalls etc). I've done this to mine - but of course I'm not telling you where I live!!!

It would be great to see more open wifi networks. On a recent trip to London, it was incredible to see how many hotspots were availble, and with a bit of a walk, relatively easy to find one that was open and free to surf on.

As far as free wifi hotspots in Sheffield go, the only one I know is the showroom cinema site.

I'm sure in time more and more sites will offer free wifi to draw people through their doors and buy their beer/coffee/food. It makes great business sense!

If anyone knows of any other free wifi sites in shef, please do post!

The main building at Abbeyfield Park was offering in a signal a while back - not tried it recently...

There is a free open access wifi point in the Rutland Arms on Paternoster Row on the corner next to Spearmint Rhino. Just turn up, order a pint (its good beer too) , scan for the network and fill your boots. This was still going strong about 3 months ago to my personal knowledge. The Showroom cinema/bar does the same service now too apparently.

There is also the BCAN open wireless project in Burngreave. This and other wi-fi spots are part of the Consume (http://www.consume.net/nodedb.php) project to bring about free wifi ! You can search for a postcode on the above link and see if you can find an active spot (its not monitored, so some spots are dead).

You can check for some more 'official' points (not necessarily free) at wi-fi hotspots directory (http://www.wi-fihotspotsdirectory.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=hotspots&file=index&req=search&query=sheffield)

Good luck!