Welcome to 3 Wifi

Fast, free and safe internet. For everyone.

You don't have to be a Three customer to use 3 Wifi. Sign up and that's it. No passwords or usernames to connect. Just quick wifi, whenever your're near one of our hotspots.

  • How to get started
  • Manage your 3 Wifi account
  • Find out all about 3 Wifi
  • Get help using 3 Wifi

About 3 Wifi

We've launched 3 Wifi to change the wifi market. 3 Wifi is a free, fast, reliable and easy to use wifi service across thousands of locations nationwide including; McDonalds, Debenhams, Costa Coffee, House of Fraser, Café Rouge and many more. Three Wifi is designed to replicate your 'at home' wifi experience, when you're out and about. Checking emails, uploading photos to Facebook, funny cat videos on YouTube - whatever you're into, surf it for free on your smartphone, tablet or laptop.

And it's not just for 3 customers, 3 Wifi is free for everyone, no matter who your mobile or home broadband contract's with.

There are no usernames or passwords required to connect. Just fast, easy to use wifi, for free.

Getting Started

To connect your device, sign up in one of our thousands of hotspots. Find your nearest hotspot using our hotspot finder.

Once you’re in a hotspot, follow these simple steps:

To connect a mobile phone or Pads and e-readers
  1. Check that the Wi-Fi setting is turned on. If you’re not sure, look in ‘connection settings’ from your main or system settings menu.
  2. Adiv Three Wifi to your list of networks. To do this, look at your Wi-Fi settings. You should see a list of available Wi-Fi networks. Click on Three Wifi.
  3. Open up an internet browser (like Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome or Safari).
  4. When you see the Three Wifi page, follow the instructions until you get to the Welcome page. (You’ll need to have your mobile on you.)

That’s it. You’re online and good to go

To connect your computer
  1. Check that the Wi-Fi setting on your computer is turned on. There should be a button or switch on your computer with a little beacon or mast symbol.
  2. Connect to Three Wifi. On most computers you can do this with Connection Manager. Otherwise, look for the Wi-Fi icon on the bottom right of your screen or open your connection settings. Click here for Guru TV
  3. You should see a list of available Wi-Fi networks. Click on Three Wifi.
  4. Open up an internet browser (like Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, Safari...)
  5. When you see the Three Wifi page, follow the instructions on screen until you get to the Welcome page. (You’ll need to have your mobile on you).

That’s it. You’re online and good to go.

The 3 Wifi App

We’ve launched a free iOS app to make it easy to find Three Wifi hotspots. The app will help you locate hotspots near you and around the country.

A few things the Three Wifi app can help you do:
  • Find and get directions to a Hotspot, even when you’re offline.
  • Manage your settings (and any other wifi devices you have) on Three Wifi.
  • Get answers to questions you might have.

FAQ's

What is Wifi?

It's a way to connect to the internet wirelessly.

Things like computers, mobile phones, e-readers and games consoles have a network card built in that lets them connect to a wireless router using radio waves. The router is connected to the internet by a modem. So the internet connection comes through the modem, to the wireless router, to your device.


What is Three Wifi?

It's Wifi from Three. But unlike most other kinds of Wifi hotspots, Three Wifi is free. And it's available to everyone, whether you're on Three or not.


What is Three Wifi Extra?

It's a public wifi service from Three, just for Three customers. Click here to find out more.


How much does it cost?

Three Wifi is free. Not 'sign up, give us your card details and we won't start charging until you've forgotten you signed up in the first place' free. We mean free-free. No contracts, no surprise charges.


How do I get free Wifi?

Just sign up. It only takes three quick steps. Then you'll get free Wifi whenever you're near an Three Wifi hotspot.


Is Wifi safe?

We take preventative measures to bolster security across our network such as running the latest security software patches, and proactively monitoring our service against risks.

In addition to the security measures in place, we protect users through content filtering. From the moment our public wifi service was switched on in 2011, we've fully content-filtered our service at all venues. We were the first in the industry to do this.

When using public wifi, we recommend that you always verify online certificates and only input personal details on secure websites. We also display a welcome page in each of our venues which identifies users by name, so you can be confident that you are connecting to a fully monitored and secure service.


How do I sign in?

As long as you've signed up, you don't need to sign in. When you're near an Three Wifi hotspot, you just choose Three Wifi from the list of available networks on your device, and we'll do the rest.


Can I use Three Wifi to watch online videos, or make phone or video calls over the internet?

Yes. And if you're planning to do any of these things, they'll work a lot better over Wifi than with a mobile broadband dongle or 3G.


I'm not with Three. Does that matter?

Not at all. You're welcome to use Three Wifi, whatever network you're on.


Is Three Wifi the same technology I use at home?

Yes, if you use Wifi at home. If you haven't got Wifi at home yet, you might want to ask your provider to help set you up. Wifi can be up to ten times faster than 3G or a mobile broadband dongle.


Why do I have to sign up?

There are two reasons. One, security. It helps us do our best to protect you from nasty viruses or prying eyes. Two, simplicity. Signing up means you don't have to sign in when you want to use an Three Wifi hotspot. It all happens automatically.


How can I find my nearest Three Wifi hotspot?

Use the Hotspot finder at the top of this page.


My signal strength is low. What's going on?

The strength of Three Wifi depends on a lot of things. Like how far away you are from the wireless box. Or how many people are trying to connect to the same hotspot at the same time. If your signal strength is low, the best thing is usually to move closer to the box.


Why should I choose Three Wifi over 3G or GPRS?

Wifi can be up to ten times faster than 3G and GPRS. Also, most mobile contracts come with limits on how much internet you can use a month, usually between 500MB and 1GB. Considering the average iTunes track is about 7.5MB, it's easy to use that up - especially if you're watching videos online. Using Three Wifi doesn't use up your mobile data allowance.


What kind of device works best?

Most modern laptops, smartphones, handheld consoles (like PSP and DS), MP3 players and even some printers can use Wifi these days. If you're not sure if your device will work, look in the manual or check with the manufacturer.


Do I need to sign a contract to use Three Wifi?

No. And you never will. But you do have to agree to our terms and conditions.


How do I know I'm near an Three Wifi hotspot?

You should see stickers, posters or signs for it. And you'll see 'Three Wifi' on your list of available networks.


What's an SSID?

It's the name of a wireless network that shows up when you do a network search. Ours shows up as Three Wifi.


Is there a download limit?

Yes. You get up to 10GB a month, which is more than enough for most people. You can keep track of how much you've used on your online account page. You can also update your details and delete old devices online.

We work out how much you've used in the last 30 days. And we update it every day.


Is Three Wifi the same as The Cloud and BT Openzone?

Not quite. We're all wifi providers but we work in different ways. Three Wifi is free for everyone, whether or not you're with us. The Cloud and BT Openzone are only free for certain people.


How fast is Three WiFi?

It depends how close you are to the router and how many people are trying to get online at the same time. But we always use the fastest link in your area. So you should get reliable internet that's up to ten times faster than 3G.


How do I connect using an iPhone/iPad?

Follow these steps:

  1. On your iPad or iPhone go to Settings > Wi-Fi > On.
  2. Under Choose a network tap Three Wifi. (A tick will pop up on the left.)
  3. Click the home button and open the browser. When you try to browse the web you'll go to our sign-up page.

How do I connect using an Android phone/tablet?

Follow these steps:

  1. On your Android phone or tablet go to Menu > Settings > Wireless and network.
  2. Tap Wi-Fi settings and tick the wifi check box. Your phone will search for wifi networks.
  3. Tap Three Wifi to connect to it.
  4. Open your browser. When you try to browse the web you'll go to our sign-up page.

How do I connect using a Windows PC (XP, Vista, 7)?

Follow these steps:

  1. If you're using a laptop with a wifi receiver button, make sure it's switched on.
  2. Go to Control Panel and click Switch to Classic View.
  3. Click on Network Connections.
  4. Choose Three Wifi and click Connect.
  5. A warning box will pop up. Click Connect Anyway.
  6. Open your browser. It'll take you to our sign-up page.

Your computer might remind you that Three Wifi is a public network when you try to connect.


How do I connect using a Mac?

Follow these steps:

  1. Click on the Airport icon in the top right and you'll see a list of all the wifi networks available. (Make sure it's switched on first.)
  2. Choose Three Wifi from the list.
  3. Open your browser. It'll take you to our sign-up page.

How do I connect using a PSP?

Follow these steps:

  1. Switch on your PSP.
  2. Flip the WLAN switch to the On position. This switches on your wifi.
  3. Go to the main menu and choose Network Setup.
  4. Go to Network Settings.
  5. Choose Infrastructure mode.
  6. Go to Create a new connection.
  7. Choose Scan. Your PSP will search for wifi networks.
  8. When the network options appear, choose Three Wifi.
  9. Confirm the settings.
  10. You'll be asked to Test the connection. Select OK.
  11. Go back to the main menu. Open the browser and type in any web adivress. You'll be re-directed to our sign-up page.

How do I connect using a Kindle?

Follow these steps:

  1. Switch on your Kindle.
  2. Go to Menu > Settings > Wifi settings.
  3. Choose Three Wifi from the list.
  4. Open your browser. It'll take you to our sign-up page.

How do I connect?

It depends on the device you're using. Connecting with a smartphone is different to connecting with your PSP, for example. But the basic steps are always the same:

  1. Switch on the device.
  2. Switch on the wifi and search for available networks.
  3. Choose Three Wifi from the list.
  4. Open your web browser and follow the instructions.

If you're connecting to Three Wifi for the first time you'll have to type in your details to sign in.


What if I see an error page when I open my browser using Three Wifi?

You can only use Three Wifi in Three Wifi hotspots.

If you open your browser once you've left a hotspot, you'll be taken to a page telling you where you can find more hotspots.

If you're using a smartphone you can keep browsing using your mobile connection.

If you're using any other device you'll have to connect to another wifi network to keep browsing.


Safer wifi for everyone

We've worked hard to deliver a best in class wifi service. A big part of this is to provide an environment where you and your family can surf the net in a safe, informative and confident manner.

We take preventative measures to bolster security across our network. We run the latest security patches and are constantly monitoring our service against risks. In addition to the security measures in place, we protect our users through content filtering. From the moment our public wifi service was switched on in 2011, we've fully content-filtered our service at all our hotspots. We’ve never allowed access to illegal, extreme and adult material, so you’re guarded from inappropriate material. We’re proud that we were the first in the industry to do this; well before all the other large wifi providers and we set the standard to aspire to.

However, we recommend that when using any public wifi network, including 3 Wifi, that you always verify online certificates and only input personal details on secure websites.

Find a hotspot

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