Free wi-fi coming to some San Francisco hot spots

Want to log on to an open wi fi network while cruising around in San Francisco?

The options for doing so are broadening considerably in the coming months, meaning less trying to search around for unprotected connections or coffee shops while you’re on the go.

The newest public network access should cover Market Street, from the Castro to the ferry building. The project will start in December and completion of the wi fi work should be done by March 2012.

Other access points are slated for Golden Gate Park and Mission Street, as well as Union Square. There was once a plan to have a free network covering the entire city, but that great idea seems to have lapsed into oblivion, which is unfortunate.

The city’s network (identifiable on your smartphone or laptop as a connection labeled SFGov_Free_WiFi is a faster, more trouble-free access point than most cell phone networks. It rarely crashes and requires no pesky passwords or use authorization disclaimers.

The city is taking suggestions for needed hot spots. Suggestions can be made at www.sfgov.org/wifi

See all the existing access points on a map at www.sfgov3.org/ftp/survey/wifi_map.html