Free Wi-Fi got a boost today after Verizon began offering free access to its slew of wireless hotspots – but only to certain Internet customers. 

Those in that lucky free-Wi-Fi group include two types of Internet customers: FiOS users who spend $65 or more for Internet and get download speeds of at least 25 megabits per second, and its DSL high-speed customers who pay $29.99 or more per month for 3 mbps speeds. The offer is good for new and existing customers, but existing customers do need to register online and download special connection software.

If you are like me and didn’t realize that Verizon even offered Wi-Fi hotspots, the telecom company teamed up with Boingo Wireless, one of the first hotspot aggregators. Today, Boingo announced that it renewed an agreement with Verizon to offer Verizon customers access to its 100,000 hotspots worldwide.

There’s no mention whether Verizon Wireless customers will also get some free Wi-Fi goodness. But if Verizon follows rival AT&T’s lead, free Wi-Fi for wireless customers could be coming, too. AT&T first offered residential Internet customers free access to its hotspots early last year. iPhone and other wireless users were added last fall.

The Verizon offer appears straightforward. There’s no mention that users must buy landline service, commit to two years or sign their life away. Of course, the only eligible customers are those with the previously mentioned Internet plans — up to four people linked to the same account can use the free service simultaneously.

But Verizon users who want to utilize the free service must first sign up. Details on that are at this link. A searchable list of restaurants (includes Starbucks), hotels and other sites that offer free Wi-Fi to Verizon users is available at www.verizon.net/hotspots.

For everyone else, I suggest hitting the Wi-Fi Free Spot web site to find out where you can log in for free in your neighborhood.

Earlier stories on free Wi-Fi on Gadgetress:

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