In some parts of Europe you might already using WiFi when doing data traffic via 3G (and charged at 3G rates) - mobile operators have been going into wholesale

In some parts of Europe you might already using WiFi when doing data traffic via 3G (and charged at 3G rates) - mobile operators have been going into wholesale agreements with WiFi networks since some time or have started to build their own WiFi networks. You're right public / open WiFi access is now rather rare (to limit anonymous access) - but many restaurants / bars / pubs etc do provide free access (suggested use of a VPN here). And there are by now quite a few WiFi providers that provide WiFi subscription with international access. A positive exception from extra-charging is BT (in the UK) that provide you unlimited WiFi access across the country and free international with the FON network (and at reduced rates with other European providers). You have to be a BT fixed line subscriber for that free access. You can see a map of global FON WiFi coverage at http://maps.fon.com/ http://maps.fon.com/