Wireless in Stockholm

This is pretty unrelated to anything, but I’ve been in Stockholm for almost two weeks and before getting my Mobilt Bredband (one of those absolutely sweet mobile wifi cards, meaning I can now do my work on like, a boat) getting online was absolute hell. I knew all the Swedes, inhabitants of one of the most techy countries in the world, were holed up in their nice cosy apartments, wired tooth and nail, and there I was out in the cold streets desperately trying to steal some of their wifi. And, while there are plenty of Sidewalk Express booths where you can check email and such, the concept of an Internet cafe where you can actually work on a computer and/or connect a laptop is a foreign concept, as is wifi at the Stadsbibliotek. Even in places where there is Wifi, power outlets (believe it or not) are hard to come by.

Stockholm wifi hotspots are for some reason very poorly documented so maybe this will help a poor soul. Here are my findings:

- Skype wifi network. This seems to be the best deal in Stockholm, with access in a lot of cosy cafes. The best one is Cafe Edenborgat Stora Nygatan 35, which is one of the few that actually has books, power outlets and young hipsters with laptops. Chaikhana on Svartmangatan 23 is also a nice little tea place.

- Wayne’s Coffee. They are like Sweden’s Starbucks; in fact I think they are Sweden’s Starbucks, as the logo looks strikingly similar. You have to pay something like $20 a month for Telia Homerun if you’re going to use it a lot. However, if you go to the one on Götgatan close to Slussen, you can consistently get a free signal.

- TheCloud.net. In a moment of desperation, I paid 270 Kronor for a month of access. The connection is good, but the problem is that the hotspot locations suck. Most are at McDonald’s, where the lack of electrical outlets combined with the stench make work almost unbearable. Central Station also has a hotspot, which is good, but I was able to find only two outlets to plug in, and besides the noise and general hustble and bustle make for a not-so-good time.

If you get desperate you can just call up my buddy Andreas, who was a great sport about me invading his place and stealing his connection well into the night. Thanks dude, I still owe you beer.