INTERNET ACCESS
In late July 2007 the Hong Kong Government confirmed plans already announced to roll out its GovWiFi scheme for free wireless internet access via 350 "hotspots" locations throughout public spaces in the city including public libraries, cultural and recreational centres, museums and large parks. The facility is available for visitors to use. The scheme does not extend to private or commercial buildings and will not be on the same scale as free city wide wi-fi schemes already in operation in Taipei and Singapore but will nevertheless allow free internet access at various public hotspots throughout Hong Kong. The scheme is being rolled out in phases over two years. The programme went live on 27th March 2008 with 35 locations, mainly public libraries and public enquiry offices available. By mid 2008 120 hotspots will be available and the remaining 230 will be available by mid 2009.
Details of locations available can be obtained from the GovWiFi website here;
http://www.gov.hk/en/theme/wifi/location/index.htm
In addition it was announced in December 2007 that The Office of Telecommunications Authority is making provision for broadband wireless access via Wi-Max, a much more powerful version of Wi-Fi where a single transmission tower can provide wireless Internet up to 48km away. This will even allow wireless internet to be accessed on a bus. Licences will be auctioned in autumn 2008 and services rolled out during the following two years. During January 2008 free wireless access was made available for tenants in the communal areas of about 120 public rental housing estates of the Housing Authority.
In the meantime Broadband Internet terminals which are free to use for visitors are fairly widely available in Hong Kong at a number of locations including the following;
PUBLIC LIBRARIES
There are over 340 public access Internet terminals in public libraries. Hong Kong Central Library in Causeway Bay (opposite Victoria Park) has over 20 terminals on the ground floor. You can reserve a terminal for either a one hour or two hour session by calling in at the library. If no terminal is immediately available you can make an advance reservation for later the same day if terminals are available or alternatively for another day. The Central Library is open from 10am to 9pm every day except Wednesday when opening hours are 1pm to 9pm. Opening times at other libraries vary but some of the smaller libraries close on one day every week. The full list of libraries with public terminals is detailed below and you can check the address, location maps and opening times here;
http://tinyurl.com/35fdvv
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LIBRARIES WITH PUBLIC INTERNET TERMINALS
HK = Hong Kong Island, KL = Kowloon, NT = New Territories, OL = Outlying Islands
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Aberdeen Public Library (HK)
Chai Wan Public Library (HK)
Cheung Chau Public Library (OL – Cheung Chau)
City Hall Public Library (HK)
Fa Yuen Street Public Library (KL)
Fanling Public Library (NT)
Hong Kong Central Library (NT)
Kowloon Public Library (KL)
Lai Chi Kok Public Library (KL)
Lockhart Road Public Library (HK)
Ma On Shan Public Library (NT)
Mui Wo Public Library (OL – Lantau)
Ngau Chi Wan Public Library (KL)
Peng Chau Public Library (OL – Peng Chau)
Quarry Bay Public Library (HK)
Sai Kung Public Library (NT)
Sha Tin Public Library (NT)
Shek Tong Tsui Public Library (KL)
Sheung Shui Public Library (NT)
Shui Wo Street Public Library (KL)
South Kwai Chung Public Library (KL)
Tai Hing Public Library (NT)
Tai Po Public Library (NT)
Tin Shui Wai Public Library (NT)
To Kwa Wan Public Library (KL)
Tseung Kwan O Public Library (KL)
Tsing Yi Public Library (KL)
Tsuen Wan Public Library (NT)
Tuen Mun Public Library (NT)
Yuen Long Public Library (NT)
Additionally the following libraries also have Express Internet Terminals where no reservation is allowed and access is limited to 15 minutes to enable users to quickly check e-mails and surf the Internet;
City Hall Public Library (HK)
Kowloon Public Library (KL)
Ma On Shan Public Library (NT)
Sha Tin Public Library (NT)
Stanley Public Library (HK)
Tai Po Public Library (NT)
Tuen Mun Public Library (NT)
Tsuen Wan Public Library (NT)
Tsim Sha Tsui Public Library (KL)
MTR STATIONS
The following MTR stations have free Internet terminals;
Central (Platform 3 Island Line towards Chai Wan)
Prince Edward (Concourse – paid area)
Wan Chai (Platform 1 Island Line towards Chai Wan)
Tsuen Wan (Concourse –paid area)
Kowloon Tong (Concourse –paid area)
Kowloon Bay (Concourse –paid area)
Causeway Bay (Concourse, exit B, C, paid area)
Free Internet Terminals - Tsuen Wan MTR Station
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AIRPORT EXPRESS STATIONS
The following Airport Express Stations have free wireless broadband access;
Hong Kong Station - Ground floor - In Town Check In
Level 1 - Shops/Restaurants
Level 2 - Concourse
Level 3 - Tung Chung Line Concourse
Kowloon Station - Ground floor - In Town Check In
Level 2 - Trains to Airport
Level 3 - Trains from Airport
Tsing Yi Station - Level U2 - Trains from Airport
Level U4 - Trains to Airport
Airport Station - Level 5 - Trains to City
BUSES
During November 2008 Citybus/New World First Bus announced the introduction of free Wi-fi internet access on buses on ten routes including "Cityflyer" airport routes A11 and A12. Buses with Wi-fi are labelled accordingly near the entry door.
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PACIFIC COFFEE COMPANY
Pacific Coffee have 50 shops throughout Hong Kong (including two at the airport) which have free Internet terminals (obviously you’re expected to purchase a drink!). The number of terminals at each shop varies from one to about six.
Time is not limited although if all terminals are occupied anybody waiting can set the timer next to each terminal to limit the current user to a further 15 minutes maximum.
A full list of shops, locations and opening times can be found here;
http://www.pacificcoffee.com/eng/store/st_sto_hkm.html
OTHER LOCATIONS
Several shopping malls have free Internet terminals for public use including Times Square and Windsor House in Causeway Bay and Harbour City in Tsim Sha Tsui.
Some Uncle Russ Coffee bars including the one at Central Ferry Pier 4 (for Discovery Bay) have an Internet terminal for customer use.
Some hotels provide complimentary in-room wireless internet access for guests.
FREE WIRELESS INTERNET
In addition to the free GovWiFi programme detailed above which is available to visitors local Internet service provider PCCW has made free wireless internet available without subscription throughout Hong Kong International Airport.
FREE WIRELESS ACCESS
Free wireless hotspots are available at Starbucks and Pacific Coffee shops.
For Starbucks locations see;
http://www.starbucks.com.hk/en-US/_Our+Stores/
For Pacific Coffee locations see;
http://www.pacificcoffee.com/eng/store/st_sto_hkm.html
There are also wireless hotspots at Airport Express Stations see;
http://www.mtr.com.hk/eng/airport_express/broadband_index.html
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SUBSCRIPTION WIRELESS INTERNET
PCCW have over 3000 wireless hotspots throughout Hong Kong and offer Pay As You Go wireless access at HK$6 per 10 minutes and monthly subscriptions for unlimited access at HK$158 per month.
http://www.pccwwifi.com/eng/index.htm
REGISTERED WI-FI ACCESS POINTS
There are over 5000 registered wi-fi access points throughout Hong Kong. You can search for locations and details of all these points by district or by service provider here;
https://apps.ofta.gov.hk/apps/clr/content/public_search.asp