Boingo has a huge US network of wireless hotspots that you can connect to using their service. I have downloaded their software to my computer and if I’m in an airport, hotel or wherever and one of the affiliated spots is available I have that option to connect through Boingo. There are times that a hotel will be charging $9.95 for 24 hours of service through their own system, where if I sign up through Boingo pay as you go it is $7.95.

Several months ago I called and they offered me a $9.95 unlimited plan (3000 minutes per month) and three days ago the offer ended up on the internet with a coupon code. I will give full credit to PDX-RDM-AVL-TPA for his /her online post:

Boingo wireless offers unlimited wireless Internet at thousands of wireless hotspots around the North America for $21.95 per month. I’ve occasionally used Boingo’s Pay as you go service ($7.95 per day). Since May they’ve been emailing me to “upgrade” to Boingo Unlimited for $9.95 per month “for life”. It’s their normal unlimited service with no contract, you can cancel anytime. This is supposedly targeted to Boingo AsYouGo customers, I called Boingo (got a rep in seconds ) to ask about a few details. The rep described the normal $21.95 rate, and then sometime after I mentioned that I’d used the AsYouGo service, she said that they were offering a limited time special for $9.95 per month to upgrade – I hadn’t yet mentioned the offer. She specifically told me that this rate was for those upgrading from the AsYouGo service. However, in fiddling around with their website, it seems that it is possible to sign up without previously having an account. Here’s the process:

Go to Boingo’s website,
Select the Sign Up Now link for Laptop WiFi
Scroll down to a link that says “Have a Promotional Code? Click here.”
Enter UNL01090USD0 as the Promotional Code

This will take you to a page that shows $9.95 per month for unlimited wireless. Follow the instructions and it takes you to a page where you can set up your account – it doesn’t seem to require any old AsYouGo account information.

Note that I haven’t actually signed up yet so I don’t know for sure that you can get through the entire process, but it appears that way. This seems like a really good deal, especially considering that you are able to use hotspots from T-Mobile, Wayport, AT&T, Sprint, and IBahn. However, I’m just not sure that I would use it enough to justify it, even at that rate. I use PDANet with my Treo755 (Sprint) whenever I can’t get free wireless access an airport or hotel. I do end up spending $8 to $12 for a day’s worth of hotspot access occasionally when I need faster service or just can’t get a solid Sprint signal, probably about 6 times per year. The $120 per year fee would be more than I currently spend on Wi-Fi access. However, it would be nice to be able to have faster service more consistently, and be able to use my phone will on the internet at more hotels and airports. I’m a bit wary about Boingo’s software – I’m not sure I want it to fully take over my wireless internet connectivity. Does anybody know if the Boingo hotspot service can be used without the Boingo software?

Thanks PDX for the info. I can confirm that the system works great, you can just use the Boingo log in at an airport without loading their software, but I’ve had no problem after loading the software several years ago.

Remember, if you load Boingo on your computer, when you are at one of the hotspots nationwide that have contracted with Boingo and go online, their pop up will allow you to logon through them for $7.95 per day, or this unlimited service, following the instructions above will get you 3000 minutes per month for only $9.95. Fully cancellable at any time.

And PDX is correct, their support staff is prompt and friendly.

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This is the largest discount on their coupons I have seen. 70% off means you can get a $25 off coupon for $3. Check your calendar for potential nights out.

I think I’ll load up on my winters supply for Hilton Head and my two favorites: Callahan’s and the Plantation Cafe.

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