Microsoft rates Austin as one of the 5 most Wi-Fi friendly American cities.

Austin, Texas. Before San Francisco and Seattle came into their own as Wi-Fi hot spots, there was Austin. Here, high-speed Internet access is pushed from the grassroots. Specifically, the Austin Wireless City Project, which is dedicated to improving the availability and quality of public free Wi-Fi in the city. Austin takes its place in the wireless world seriously, and you can tell. Austin also hosts the Texas Wireless Symposium, which highlights the city’s tech innovations and its role in the evolution of the wireless industry. Because of its ‘for-the-people’ attitude toward connectivity, you’ll find an inordinately high number of free Wi-Fi connections when you visit.

The other five cities? Seattle, San Francisco, Portland, Ore and Atlanta.

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