Anyone know how to get onto free wifi networks in Spain?
Apr 4th 2010, 3:23 am
#1
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 25
Anyone know how to get onto free wifi networks in Spain?
Hey Guys,
I live in the UK and am trying to save on telephone calls by transferring over to Skype and then as Spanish phone calls are so expensive I want to get skype working there as well as I got a holiday home in Calpe. I thinking of ordering from Skype's UK website the the Belkin Wifi phone and taken it over to Spain. I do not have a computer, telephone line or internet connection in Spain. So I am hoping to hop onto a free wifi network. Do you know how I can do this?
The belkin phone says the following 'Connect to any secured or open access WiFi network (that does not require browser-based authentication).'
I have a cafe near where I live in Spain and the cafe says free wifi but I think that is only if you buy a drink. But as I live basically within 250 meters from this cafe, would the phone be able to hop on to the network?
Or could I hop onto a neighbours wifi network?
With an internet cafe that asks you to buy a drink to use their wifi service, what if I just hop on to it, is there a way they can find out? I mean to just make or receive a phone call over skype to the UK and vice versa would be free and a phone call is not going to drain their bandwidth, it's not like I am downloading music or movies. Will they be able to see me on their system? would it even work?
Sorry there is a lot of questions but I was really hoping you could please help me
Many thanks in advance
I live in the UK and am trying to save on telephone calls by transferring over to Skype and then as Spanish phone calls are so expensive I want to get skype working there as well as I got a holiday home in Calpe. I thinking of ordering from Skype's UK website the the Belkin Wifi phone and taken it over to Spain. I do not have a computer, telephone line or internet connection in Spain. So I am hoping to hop onto a free wifi network. Do you know how I can do this?
The belkin phone says the following 'Connect to any secured or open access WiFi network (that does not require browser-based authentication).'
I have a cafe near where I live in Spain and the cafe says free wifi but I think that is only if you buy a drink. But as I live basically within 250 meters from this cafe, would the phone be able to hop on to the network?
Or could I hop onto a neighbours wifi network?
With an internet cafe that asks you to buy a drink to use their wifi service, what if I just hop on to it, is there a way they can find out? I mean to just make or receive a phone call over skype to the UK and vice versa would be free and a phone call is not going to drain their bandwidth, it's not like I am downloading music or movies. Will they be able to see me on their system? would it even work?
Sorry there is a lot of questions but I was really hoping you could please help me
Many thanks in advance
Apr 4th 2010, 4:39 am
#2
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 536
Re: Anyone know how to get onto free wifi networks in Spain?
250 metres?! There is no wifi signal that strong. No, there is no way you will be able to get on to their network from your residence.
If you can get yourself on to a neighbours' wifi without a password, count yourself lucky. Most people secure their wifi now, so your chances are slim.
If you can get yourself on to a neighbours' wifi without a password, count yourself lucky. Most people secure their wifi now, so your chances are slim.
Apr 4th 2010, 7:59 am
#3
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,980
Re: Anyone know how to get onto free wifi networks in Spain?
Sabian. Would it be fair to use a connection someone else(your neighbour) is paying for ?
Go to the cafe and ask how it works. Maybe you don´t even have to buy a drink if you ask niceley......
Go to the cafe and ask how it works. Maybe you don´t even have to buy a drink if you ask niceley......
Apr 4th 2010, 8:23 am
#5
RETIRED ;-))
Joined: Jul 2003
Location: Benalmadena Pueblo,Spain
Posts: 20,156
Re: Anyone know how to get onto free wifi networks in Spain?
Buy a coffee you tightarse. 
Apr 4th 2010, 10:22 am
#6
Senior Moment
Joined: Jan 2006
Location: On the edge
Posts: 20,460
Re: Anyone know how to get onto free wifi networks in Spain?
B. If I discovered that my next door neighbour was using my wifi without my permission (which is not possible because it is secure) I would either denounce them for theft, or go round there with a large frying pan.
Apr 4th 2010, 3:06 pm
#7
Ex Expat
Joined: Oct 2006
Location: West Midlands, ex Granada province
Posts: 2,140
Re: Anyone know how to get onto free wifi networks in Spain?
MacDonalds have free wi-fi (but you will probably have to buy a coffee).
I think tapping into someone else's wi-fi without their permission is actually illegal. It certainly is in the UK.
I remember two years ago in the UK when we first got our laptop, it picked up the next-door-neighbour's wi-fi, which was not protected, and our son went round and passworded it for him! (Then put us on his own network, I'm glad to say).
In Spain, in the house, we have dial-up only. We can get free wi-fi from the village school providing we officially sign up to it (which we have) but it is only open for a couple of hours a day in term-time. Other than that there is a local restaurant we go to if we want something faster than the dial-up - we have to stick our hands in our pockets for a coffee though. Which is fair enough imho.
I think tapping into someone else's wi-fi without their permission is actually illegal. It certainly is in the UK.
I remember two years ago in the UK when we first got our laptop, it picked up the next-door-neighbour's wi-fi, which was not protected, and our son went round and passworded it for him! (Then put us on his own network, I'm glad to say
).In Spain, in the house, we have dial-up only. We can get free wi-fi from the village school providing we officially sign up to it (which we have) but it is only open for a couple of hours a day in term-time. Other than that there is a local restaurant we go to if we want something faster than the dial-up - we have to stick our hands in our pockets for a coffee though. Which is fair enough imho.
Last edited by scampicat; Apr 4th 2010 at 3:09 pm.
Apr 4th 2010, 4:31 pm
#8
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 536
Re: Anyone know how to get onto free wifi networks in Spain?
Small cafe owners are struggling just like everyone else. So, yes buying a coffee to use their wifi is the right thing to do.
McDonalds on the other hand, they don't care, and probably won't notice anyway.
McDonalds on the other hand, they don't care, and probably won't notice anyway.
Apr 4th 2010, 4:44 pm
#9
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 10,551
Re: Anyone know how to get onto free wifi networks in Spain?
People are slowly catching on to the fact that its better not to advertise the SSID, always Disable Broadcast SSID then the person logging on to the network has to know the name of the network to connect to it.
Mc Donalds typically run a two router SSID's out their outlets one allows automatic connection but has no network access the other requires basic set up to connect, They drop the dialling in to some number to get a password a while ago. But you do need browser-based authentication for use there is no password it just stops automatic connections.
Considering the router is in the Cafe 250 mtr connection is unlikely, Using Mc Donalds as a example you can connect on most of their outside terraces but walk to the other side of the car park and it gone.
As others have suggested it would be better at looking at options that cost, Not the earth. Wifi site are an Ad hoc thing you can never rely on them.
Mc Donalds typically run a two router SSID's out their outlets one allows automatic connection but has no network access the other requires basic set up to connect, They drop the dialling in to some number to get a password a while ago. But you do need browser-based authentication for use there is no password it just stops automatic connections.
Considering the router is in the Cafe 250 mtr connection is unlikely, Using Mc Donalds as a example you can connect on most of their outside terraces but walk to the other side of the car park and it gone.
As others have suggested it would be better at looking at options that cost, Not the earth. Wifi site are an Ad hoc thing you can never rely on them.
Apr 4th 2010, 4:48 pm
#10
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Nov 2003
Location: Cartama, Malaga
Posts: 1,168
Re: Anyone know how to get onto free wifi networks in Spain?
People are slowly catching on to the fact that its better not to advertise the SSID, always Disable Broadcast SSID then the person logging on to the network has to know the name of the network to connect to it.
Mc Donalds typically run a two router SSID's out their outlets one allows automatic connection but has no network access the other requires basic set up to connect, They drop the dialling in to some number to get a password a while ago. But you do need browser-based authentication for use there is no password it just stops automatic connections.
Considering the router is in the Cafe 250 mtr connection is unlikely, Using Mc Donalds as a example you can connect on most of their outside terraces but walk to the other side of the car park and it gone.
As others have suggested it would be better at looking at options that cost, Not the earth. Wifi site are an Ad hoc thing you can never rely on them.
Mc Donalds typically run a two router SSID's out their outlets one allows automatic connection but has no network access the other requires basic set up to connect, They drop the dialling in to some number to get a password a while ago. But you do need browser-based authentication for use there is no password it just stops automatic connections.
Considering the router is in the Cafe 250 mtr connection is unlikely, Using Mc Donalds as a example you can connect on most of their outside terraces but walk to the other side of the car park and it gone.
As others have suggested it would be better at looking at options that cost, Not the earth. Wifi site are an Ad hoc thing you can never rely on them.
Apr 4th 2010, 5:53 pm
#11
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 10,551
Re: Anyone know how to get onto free wifi networks in Spain?
Apr 5th 2010, 1:40 am
#12
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 25
Re: Anyone know how to get onto free wifi networks in Spain?
Hey Guys,
I would like to say thank you for everyone that has posted
Firstly I had no idea hopping onto someones bandwidth was illegal. I don't want to do anything illegal.
I would go into macdonalds when I need to and buy a coffee to get some internet access. But I am talking about needing access direct from home.
Hey searcher48, thanks for the link
I took a look at mas and this looks great, have you got this?
Do you think you could please tell me more about it?
On their website it says national calls are 6 cent a minute, do you know how much calls within spain that are to mobiles on other networks - during on peak/off peak, I can't find this information?
Also I see you can use free skype, but of course from a mobile you would have to use the networks roaming cost, or is that just the cost of using the internet, if so I see the cost of internet at 3 cents per MB with mas?
With mas I can use fring to access skype, but does skype through fring work on non compatible skype mobile phones?
Lastly, I have just joined 3pay the new sim from three which allows free skype to skype calls. and when you top up free 3 to 3 calls and free internet lasting 90 days. Well based on 150MB allowance. Now obviously that only works in the UK right? So I cannot make skype calls using that allowance while in Spain, is that right?
So would it be best to buy a Spanish skype compatible mobile phone and get fring with mas and then pay just 3 cents per MB which is still a lot, because fring say 1 minute = 133kb which is around 8 minutes taking up 1MB which costs 3 cents + skype cost to call the country. I am looking to use a skype top up account and not a skype subscription. Let's say I am in Spain with a UK or Spainish skype compatible mobile phone, then I want to call a Skype phone in the UK which would be free but then I would have to pay the roaming cost as internet data allowance which would be charged from mas at 3 cent's per MB so from the figures above. One minute would be around 0.37 euro cents which is 8 minutes divided by 3 cents the cost of an MB. Is that all I would pay then? Or have I got this all totally confused.
Would the connection also come from a Spanish mobile phone operator and not wifi? Because where I actually live, I am not near any wifi hot spots (well just the cafe with free wifi if you pay for a drink which is 250 meters away), but telefonica works very well as I have used their mobile phones. But would the mas signal be in my area?
Sorry for all the questions but I really want to sort this out as I need to stop my phone bills, they are so expensive and convert over to skype.
Any help much appreciated
Many many thanks in advance
I would like to say thank you for everyone that has posted
Firstly I had no idea hopping onto someones bandwidth was illegal. I don't want to do anything illegal.
I would go into macdonalds when I need to and buy a coffee to get some internet access. But I am talking about needing access direct from home.
If you get a masmovil sim you can have access on a pay as you go basis. mas
I took a look at mas and this looks great, have you got this?
Do you think you could please tell me more about it?
On their website it says national calls are 6 cent a minute, do you know how much calls within spain that are to mobiles on other networks - during on peak/off peak, I can't find this information?
Also I see you can use free skype, but of course from a mobile you would have to use the networks roaming cost, or is that just the cost of using the internet, if so I see the cost of internet at 3 cents per MB with mas?
With mas I can use fring to access skype, but does skype through fring work on non compatible skype mobile phones?
Lastly, I have just joined 3pay the new sim from three which allows free skype to skype calls. and when you top up free 3 to 3 calls and free internet lasting 90 days. Well based on 150MB allowance. Now obviously that only works in the UK right? So I cannot make skype calls using that allowance while in Spain, is that right?
So would it be best to buy a Spanish skype compatible mobile phone and get fring with mas and then pay just 3 cents per MB which is still a lot, because fring say 1 minute = 133kb which is around 8 minutes taking up 1MB which costs 3 cents + skype cost to call the country. I am looking to use a skype top up account and not a skype subscription. Let's say I am in Spain with a UK or Spainish skype compatible mobile phone, then I want to call a Skype phone in the UK which would be free but then I would have to pay the roaming cost as internet data allowance which would be charged from mas at 3 cent's per MB so from the figures above. One minute would be around 0.37 euro cents which is 8 minutes divided by 3 cents the cost of an MB. Is that all I would pay then? Or have I got this all totally confused.
Would the connection also come from a Spanish mobile phone operator and not wifi? Because where I actually live, I am not near any wifi hot spots (well just the cafe with free wifi if you pay for a drink which is 250 meters away), but telefonica works very well as I have used their mobile phones. But would the mas signal be in my area?
Sorry for all the questions but I really want to sort this out as I need to stop my phone bills, they are so expensive and convert over to skype.
Any help much appreciated
Many many thanks in advance
Last edited by sabian; Apr 5th 2010 at 1:44 am.
Apr 5th 2010, 4:50 am
#13
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 474
Re: Anyone know how to get onto free wifi networks in Spain?
250 metres?! There is no wifi signal that strong. No, there is no way you will be able to get on to their network from your residence.
If you can get yourself on to a neighbours' wifi without a password, count yourself lucky. Most people secure their wifi now, so your chances are slim.
If you can get yourself on to a neighbours' wifi without a password, count yourself lucky. Most people secure their wifi now, so your chances are slim.
DSB.
Apr 5th 2010, 4:53 am
#14
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 474
Re: Anyone know how to get onto free wifi networks in Spain?
Hey Guys,
I live in the UK and am trying to save on telephone calls by transferring over to Skype and then as Spanish phone calls are so expensive I want to get skype working there as well as I got a holiday home in Calpe. I thinking of ordering from Skype's UK website the the Belkin Wifi phone and taken it over to Spain. I do not have a computer, telephone line or internet connection in Spain. So I am hoping to hop onto a free wifi network. Do you know how I can do this?
The belkin phone says the following 'Connect to any secured or open access WiFi network (that does not require browser-based authentication).'
I have a cafe near where I live in Spain and the cafe says free wifi but I think that is only if you buy a drink. But as I live basically within 250 meters from this cafe, would the phone be able to hop on to the network?
Or could I hop onto a neighbours wifi network?
With an internet cafe that asks you to buy a drink to use their wifi service, what if I just hop on to it, is there a way they can find out? I mean to just make or receive a phone call over skype to the UK and vice versa would be free and a phone call is not going to drain their bandwidth, it's not like I am downloading music or movies. Will they be able to see me on their system? would it even work?
Sorry there is a lot of questions but I was really hoping you could please help me
Many thanks in advance
I live in the UK and am trying to save on telephone calls by transferring over to Skype and then as Spanish phone calls are so expensive I want to get skype working there as well as I got a holiday home in Calpe. I thinking of ordering from Skype's UK website the the Belkin Wifi phone and taken it over to Spain. I do not have a computer, telephone line or internet connection in Spain. So I am hoping to hop onto a free wifi network. Do you know how I can do this?
The belkin phone says the following 'Connect to any secured or open access WiFi network (that does not require browser-based authentication).'
I have a cafe near where I live in Spain and the cafe says free wifi but I think that is only if you buy a drink. But as I live basically within 250 meters from this cafe, would the phone be able to hop on to the network?
Or could I hop onto a neighbours wifi network?
With an internet cafe that asks you to buy a drink to use their wifi service, what if I just hop on to it, is there a way they can find out? I mean to just make or receive a phone call over skype to the UK and vice versa would be free and a phone call is not going to drain their bandwidth, it's not like I am downloading music or movies. Will they be able to see me on their system? would it even work?
Sorry there is a lot of questions but I was really hoping you could please help me
Many thanks in advance
Install this neat little program. Up pops a radar screen and shows the red secure and green available. When it get's connected the browser will load to prove it for you...
Great if you are driving around :P
http://easy-wifi-radar.en.softonic.com/
DSB.
Apr 5th 2010, 5:27 am
#15
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 25
Re: Anyone know how to get onto free wifi networks in Spain?
Many thanks for your replies guys
I have been doing some more reading into this mas movil and it seems an excellent choice for me. It also works with fring which brings skype as well as a number of apps to your mobile. I just read that there is a mini fring for phones that don't support VOIP but I was wondering if anyone of you know if that works for non compatible VOIP mobiles?
I been reading that there is a whole community of phone app developers that are making skype apps for phones that don't normally work under VOIP. Instead they work with any phone that uses MIDP 2.0 and J2ME which my Sony Ericsson K608i supports. So this means that the phone can become a VOIP phone using these apps right?
I have been doing some more reading into this mas movil and it seems an excellent choice for me. It also works with fring which brings skype as well as a number of apps to your mobile. I just read that there is a mini fring for phones that don't support VOIP but I was wondering if anyone of you know if that works for non compatible VOIP mobiles?
I been reading that there is a whole community of phone app developers that are making skype apps for phones that don't normally work under VOIP. Instead they work with any phone that uses MIDP 2.0 and J2ME which my Sony Ericsson K608i supports. So this means that the phone can become a VOIP phone using these apps right?