How to Get Unlimited Internet for Free – 5 Best Ways to Try
Nowadays, everyone needs internet access to stay connected to family, friends, work, and other important parts of our lives. Unfortunately, many low-income households can’t afford to pay monthly internet bills.
If you fall into this category, you may wonder how to get unlimited internet for free. Fortunately, there are several 100% free internet options available. And none of them involves anything unethical or illegal. This quick guide explores five excellent options.
1. Wi-Fi FreeSpot
A Wi-Fi FreeSpot is any organization or business offering free high-speed internet access via Wi-Fi to guests, customers, and the general public.
Finding free internet with this option requires checking your state’s Wi-Fi FreeSpot directory for locations that offer free Wi-Fi. You might be lucky to find a location near where you live. If you find one nearby, simply tap into the free Wi-Fi network and surf the net to your heart’s satisfaction.
Remember that this is a free public Wi-Fi, so it may be congested and deliver slow speeds.
2. Lifeline Assistance
The Lifeline Assistance program is a federal government program administered by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). It is designed to provide discounts on monthly internet and phone services for low-income consumers.
Although Lifeline only provides discounts on monthly internet bills, many service providers participating in the government program offer unlimited talk, text, and data usage.
Some popular Lifeline service providers include:
- SafeLink Wireless
- Assurance Wireless
- enTouch Wireless
- StandUp Wireless
- Easy Wireless
The good thing about this government program is that there are several providers across the nation, so you can choose the best service available where you live.
While many providers offer free monthly internet service, this option is only available to low-income households that meet certain income limits or participate in qualifying programs like Medicaid or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
3. Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)
If you are not eligible to enroll in the Lifeline Assistance program (perhaps because of the low income requirement), you may qualify for the Affordability Connectivity Program (ACP) since it has a higher income requirement.
Like Lifeline, ACP is an FCC benefit program that helps qualifying consumers pay for internet services. The program also provides a one-time discount of up to $100 to enable eligible households to buy internet-connected devices like tablets, laptops, and desktop computers.
If you are wondering how to get unlimited internet for free with the ACP, your household income must be below or at 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Alternatively, you can enjoy the benefits if you or someone in your household participates in a qualifying program, such as the Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8), SNAP, Medicaid, or Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
Many Lifeline providers also offer ACP benefits, which usually include a generous amount of monthly data plus high-speed mobile hotspot data. Interestingly, you can qualify for Lifeline and ACP and combine both benefits toward your monthly internet bill.
4. FreedomPop
FreedomPop is a California-based wireless internet company and mobile virtual network operator providing free and low-cost data, as well as free text and unlimited Wi-Fi calls.
The company is an ACP provider, so you can get free talk and text, including 10GB of data every month. To get unlimited Wi-Fi calling and messaging, sign up for FreedomPop’s “freemium” plan.
With this ACP provider, you can bring your own device and enjoy high-speed data every month. The provider’s 100% free internet access plan should be enough for basic internet surfing. However, if you are a heavy internet user, you may have to upgrade to a paid plan to enjoy unlimited data, text, and voice minutes without a data cap.
5. Municipal Wireless Networks
You can have a free internet access plan if you live in an area with a municipal wireless network. Local governments usually install these networks to provide free Wi-Fi internet to citizens within the coverage area.
Like the Wi-Fi FreeSpot option, municipal wireless networks are public Wi-Fi networks, meaning they tend to be slow due to congestion. After all, many people want free unlimited internet. However, this internet plan is usually completely free and does not require upgrading to a paid unlimited internet plan.
Keep in mind that this option is not available in many locations, but it doesn’t hurt to check if your city has it.
Beware of Free Internet Hacks
All the methods we’ve shared above for accessing unlimited internet free of charge are legal and ethical. They do not involve unauthorized bypassing or hacking internet service providers’ systems.
That said, you may come across so-called free internet hacks and tricks when searching for how to get unlimited internet for free. The internet is rife with tons of misinformation regarding this topic, so you should be careful when implementing suggestions from the net.
Some hacks can actually harm your phone, tablet, laptop, or desktop computer. Not to mention, many of the so-called free internet tricks are completely illegal.
Conclusion
There you have it: 5 ethical and legal tips on how to get unlimited internet for free. Whether you use a mobile device or computer, you can use these methods to freely access the broadband you need for work, healthcare, school, and other critical services.
However, to get the best services from internet providers, you should consider subscribing to paid plans, especially if you’re a heavy internet user. The good news is that many of the providers listed in this guide offer very affordable internet service plans, usually with attractive extras.