Here are 10 spots where you can easily access WiFi without draining your data plan.

Ever seen 'On the Waterfront'? Marlon Brando stars as a washed-up boxer, with the story centered on a 1950s stevedores' union strike. But if you visit a port today, you won't see longshoremen carrying hooks. Instead, you'll see containers. In 1955, trucking mogul Malcolm McLean came up with a groundbreaking idea: instead of packing and unpacking a variety of boxes of all shapes and sizes, why not use large, standardized metal containers? This innovation revolutionized global trade [source: World Shipping].

Why are we discussing containers when WiFi is the topic? Well, it's not too off-topic. Containers and WiFi have a common historical factor — Coopetition. This business term refers to when competing companies cooperate for mutual advantage. When Malcolm McLean had his idea, he understood that it would work best if he didn't patent it. By allowing everyone to use the same container size standard, global trade would boom. His competitors would benefit as well, while stevedore jobs became a casualty of progress.

The origin of WiFi dates back to 1985, when a visionary engineer at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) proposed releasing certain unused wireless spectrum bands for public use. Initially, vendors started developing proprietary tech to take advantage of the newly available frequencies, but it took some time for them to realize the necessity of working together. After all, the whole thing wouldn't work if one device couldn't communicate with another.

In 1988, a coalition of tech companies came together to establish an industry standard for wireless technology. After nearly a decade of negotiations, the first version was published in 1997. It was updated and simplified two years later, leading to the production of compatible devices. But the technology still needed a name. Branding experts were consulted, and names like 'FlankSpeed' and 'DragonFly' were rejected. 'WiFi' was chosen, evoking the familiar feel of 'hi-fi' and the universality of CDs working in any player, regardless of brand. 'WiFi' won the naming contest [source: The Economist].

Twenty years later, ethernet cables have, like stevedores before them, become less common. As cables decline, WiFi has surged in popularity, leading to a dramatic rise in internet usage. With so many things now possible on wireless devices, our usage often exceeds our data plan limits.

So, where can we find free wireless access?

10: Parks

In the spring of 2014, Parks Canada announced its plan to bring WiFi services to several national parks across the country.

A wave of outrage followed.

Nature enthusiasts across the nation voiced their concerns about the potential damage to the Canadian wilderness. Canada was the first country in the world to establish a national park service, and now it was set to become one of the first to allow the constant presence of social media, emails, texts, and—horror—memes in its pristine natural spaces. Could visitors not even escape to the serene backcountry without posting selfies on cliffs? Was humanity so dependent on its devices? What about those seeking refuge in the wilderness precisely to escape the ubiquity of, well, everyone?

Parks Canada clarified that the plan didn’t include WiFi in remote locations like mountaintops or isolated lake shores. The backcountry would stay free of WiFi. Instead, they would introduce free WiFi in select visitor centers as part of an experiment aimed at attracting more millennials to experience the outdoors [source: Parks Canada].

The uproar eventually subsided. Parks Canada proceeded with installing the hotspots quietly, and since then, there has been little discussion on the matter. It's still too soon to determine whether the strategy is actually enticing the youth to explore nature.

In the U.S., national parks still prohibit WiFi, but nearly every other type of park has embraced it fully. You could even broadcast a live video of yourself strolling through Central Park in NYC, if that seemed remotely interesting. From California to South Carolina, and Texas to Ohio, state parks have eagerly adopted free WiFi.

9: The Baltics

If your data plan is maxed out and your provider hasn't already throttled your connection to dial-up speeds, or worse, is about to charge you sky-high fees for exceeding your limit, head to the Baltics.

When the Cold War ended and the Soviet Union's influence rapidly faded, the Baltics were awakened by the bright light of modernity. They didn’t retreat; instead, they collectively decided to charge full speed ahead into the 21st century.

To reach the Baltics, turn left at Poland and head north by northwest. Your first destination will be Lithuania, which, by certain measures, boasts the fastest public WiFi in the world [source: Eadicicco].

Further north, Estonia is also home to avid connectivity enthusiasts who proudly proclaim the country's extensive free WiFi coverage. There’s no untouched wilderness for them! Even remote beaches and forests are online. In Estonia, internet access is considered a human right. After all, this is where Hotmail and Skype were born [source: Visitestonia.com].

8: Buses

Remember 'Speed'? Keanu Reeves, before his role as Neo, and Sandra Bullock, before she was a household name. The tagline was 'Die Hard on a bus,' which helped sell the high-concept thriller. Recall 'Die Hard'? Never mind. The important part is the bus. A psychopath (played by Dennis Hopper, typecast) rigs a bus to explode if its speed drops below a certain threshold. His motive? Something about his pension. But honestly, who cares about that (clearly, the director didn’t).

The question is, has the concept behind 'Speed' become obsolete? What's changed? WiFi, my friend. Free WiFi on city buses. Yes, it's real. In fact, it’s already happening. As of December 2014, the Golden Gate Transit’s fleet of 180 buses offers free WiFi across its entire service area, spanning from San Francisco to Santa Rosa and Western Contra Costa County.

Sure, 'Speed' was set in Los Angeles, but they're getting with the times too. New York City is on it as well, with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority planning to deploy over 2,000 new buses with free WiFi starting in mid-2016 [source: Whitten]. And yes, they’ll even have USB charging ports!

It’s happening. Cities like Kansas City (Missouri), Minneapolis, Atlanta, Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver are all hopping on the WiFi bus.

So, 'Speed'? Is the movie WiFi-friendly? Most likely. If you’re going to go with a plot that outlandish, surely a production team with little concern for realism could dream up a digital pirate with the skills to remotely shut down a mobile WiFi hotspot and ruin everyone’s ride.

7: Trains

Staying with the theme of public transit, let's turn to trains. If buses can offer free WiFi, why not railways? After all, train tracks were the internet of the 19th century. And indeed! Across Europe and North America, many train systems provide free WiFi. In January 2016, Google launched one of the world’s biggest public WiFi initiatives in India. The goal is to bring free WiFi to over 400 railway stations nationwide [source: Balachandran].

Trains may travel across open landscapes, but they also go underground. Back in New York City, in addition to WiFi on its buses, the MTA is set to increase WiFi availability in underground stations, from 140 to 277, by the end of 2016 [source: Smith].

Meanwhile, the oldest subway system in the world, London’s Underground (The Tube), boasts WiFi at every stop. Paris offers the same. Toronto has WiFi at certain stations. Montreal too. But if you're after a truly advanced and connected subway experience, look no further than Seoul, where WiFi is just the beginning of their cutting-edge transit innovations [source: Kim].

And how might all this WiFi influence the plot of 'The Taking of Pelham One Two Three'? Remember Walter Matthau? Long before his 'Grumpy Old Men' days, he played a grumpy middle-aged New York City transit cop who was forced to deal with a group of notorious subway hijackers.

6: Submarines

Alright, while subterranean WiFi is impressive, what about underwater connectivity? If you're facing a giant squid through a submarine portal, it would be disappointing not to share that moment on Instagram. The problem is, WiFi relies on radio signals, which don’t work underwater. But don’t worry—Subnero, a company specializing in underwater internet, is already working on a solution in Singapore.

Here’s how it works: Subnero places nodes underwater at intervals, which send and receive signals from surface buoys. These buoys then communicate with satellites or cell towers. The submarine can send sound pulses to the internet using these nodes and buoys.

There are a few kinks to work out, like the fact that sound moves through water 100,000 times slower than radio waves travel through air—definitely not high-speed internet! But Subnero is undeterred, confident that they’ll soon find solutions. They envision a future where undersea WiFi enables things like piloting underwater drones or enhancing the experience of divers [source: Kingsley].

5: Supercars

Let's say you can't quite justify spending $2.8 million on a Koenigsegg One:1. Sure, it's incredibly fast and boasts an impressive power-to-weight ratio (1:1, as the name suggests), but it was released in 2015, and it might already feel a bit outdated. After all, the 2016 Koenigsegg Regera not only has an even better power-to-weight ratio but also includes a built-in WiFi hotspot, is a plug-in hybrid, and costs $2.3 million — a bargain if that means free WiFi for the life of the car [source: Oagana]. Is it actually free? Unclear, but it ought to be.

If supercars are out of your budget, don't worry, WiFi isn't! Audi's vehicles offer 4G hotspots capable of supporting up to eight devices at once.

And if European luxury cars don't suit your taste, GM has gone wireless too, from the Corvette to the Cadillac. Many Fords are now WiFi-enabled as well. Chrysler even offers hotspots that cover a 150-foot (46-meter) radius, making it a great option for WiFi seekers. Next time you're at the beach, keep an eye out for a Chrysler in the parking lot — if the owner hasn't locked the system, you might just be able to tweet from your towel [source: Martell].

4: Mount Fuji

Mount Fuji, the unmistakable volcanic peak that symbolizes Japan, has inspired countless works of art, photographs, and poetry. Every year, hundreds of thousands of people embark on the climb to its summit. And now, thanks to the availability of WiFi from the base to the top, climbers can document and share their journey on social media in real-time. While some might poke fun at the idea, the WiFi service on Fuji actually enhances safety, allowing climbers to track weather conditions and call for help if they’re beyond cell coverage areas.

If you're planning to enjoy the free WiFi at Mount Fuji, remember that it’s only accessible from July 1 to early September. Also, once you connect, the WiFi is available for a 72-hour period, which should be plenty of time to reach the summit and return.

Incredibly, even though Mount Fuji stands at 12,389 feet (3,776 meters), its WiFi doesn’t claim the title of the highest in the world. Since 2010, Mount Everest has offered WiFi at altitudes reaching up to 17,000 feet (5,181 meters) [source: Griffin]. Does this make Everest's WiFi the highest? That depends on how you define "world."

3: International Space Station

Do you remember Chris Hadfield? The Canadian astronaut who took command of the International Space Station in 2013? By the time he returned to Earth, some were calling him one of the most famous astronauts since Neil Armstrong. How did this happen? Free WiFi. While TV made Armstrong a household name, the internet turned Hadfield into a star.

However, gaining access to this WiFi wasn’t easy. Hadfield's journey to space required years of dedication: first, earning an engineering degree, then becoming a fighter pilot, followed by a test pilot, and finally completing countless other steps to qualify as a NASA astronaut. Becoming an astronaut is one thing, but actually making it to space is another—it demands luck, fluency in Russian, and a perfect mix of qualifications at just the right time [source: chrishadfield.ca].

2: Everywhere, Part 1

Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, Larry Page, and Sergey Brin are all in a race to save the world by running it. It's no surprise that all of them have revealed plans to provide free WiFi to the planet, as there are still 4.8 billion people who lack internet access. That's an enormous market waiting to be tapped.

Facebook's approach involves sending countless solar-powered drones into the skies above remote areas in Asia and Africa where internet is scarce. These drones will use highly accurate lasers to transmit signals from one to another, forming an aerial internet. A prototype carbon fiber drone has already been built with a wingspan of a 737, yet weighs less than half a Prius. It will transmit signals to cell towers from altitudes of 60,000 to 90,000 feet (18,000 to 27,000 meters), well above commercial air traffic. Allegedly, it will deliver speeds of up to 10 gigabits per second — faster than fiber-optic networks [source: Vanian].

If Google has its way, there will be much more signal transmission happening. The solution is also to head upwards. However, Google isn't content with just the mesosphere. The tech giant plans to launch 180 satellites into low Earth orbit to help spread internet connectivity. Additionally, they are exploring the use of drones and hot air balloons to enhance the network [source: Zolfagharifard].

Not to be outdone — or, as usual, to outdo everyone else — Musk is also planning to send a fleet of satellites into space to offer global WiFi access. But while Facebook and Google focus on providing free access, Musk intends to make a profit. And, true to his ambitious nature, the profits from this venture are destined to fund the creation of a city on Mars [source: Metzger]. It almost goes without saying.

Click here to explore Part 2 of 'Everywhere'.

While the idea of worldwide WiFi sounds like a cool science fiction concept, there's actually a simpler, more affordable, and potentially better solution. WiFi currently operates on a limited portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, which is divided by regulatory authorities in each country. Due to their early establishment, radio and TV stations have exclusive access to prime frequencies. But think about the unused local UHF (ultra-high frequency) channels. UHF spans between 400 and 700 megahertz. If WiFi could broadcast at these frequencies, the signal could travel for miles, easily passing through obstacles like walls, trees, and trucks.

Innovative researchers from Rice University have devised a system that doesn't rely on a fixed channel. Instead, their technology automatically detects unused UHF channels and dynamically switches between them to avoid interference. The best part? You don’t need any special equipment to receive this signal, just your regular TV with an antenna [source: Mack].

Meanwhile, DARPA, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, is working on a project so ambitious it makes Elon Musk's ideas look dated. After all, this is the organization responsible for inventing the internet.

One of DARPA's latest groundbreaking ideas is the creation of a 'cortical modem.' They envision a $10 device, roughly the size of two stacked nickels, that could be implanted directly into your brain as a neural interface. Forget about retinal displays – this device could project visuals right into your visual cortex. But the implications go even further (imagine hyper-augmented reality). With this technology, you'd be able to communicate directly with someone IN YOUR MIND. That's right, DARPA is aiming for electronic telepathy. They're even exploring the possibility of telekinesis, which could work in tandem with an internet of things [source: Rothman]. The Force may soon be with all of us! This represents WiFi at its most extreme and futuristic. Will it be free? In the future, everything is.