Usage Guide

Main Content

Usage Guide

GovWiFi aims to provide free Wi-Fi Internet access at designated government premises. To connect to the government Wi-Fi facilities, you just need a Wi-Fi device that is compatible to IEEE 802.11 b/g standards. No user registration is required.

Security and Privacy Protection

For security and privacy protection, you are advised to use the encrypted channel whenever possible. If your mobile device supports IEEE 802.1x and WPA2-Enterprise (or WPA-Enterprise), you should use the encrypted channel. If your mobile device is not equipped with the required encryption function, you can use the unencrypted channel. But, in such a case, you are advised to transmit non-sensitive information or perform web browsing only as transmission in this mode is unencrypted and therefore unprotected.

Be Aware of Auto-switching of Internet Access Connection

Some mobile devices may have the feature of switching between Wi-Fi and other mobile data services such as GPRS, 3G/3.5G. This switching would be triggered automatically depending on signal strengths of systems concerned, and may not be of notice to the user. If you want to avoid being unintentionally switched to these services (which are normally chargeable), you should disable the automatic connection feature or turn off the Internet access feature of GPRS and 3G/3.5G if such function(s) are available on your device. Please read carefully the manual of your mobile devices and the information provided by your service provider on how to set the desired mode of communication (e.g. Wi-Fi) on your mobile device.

Conditions of Use

To ensure reasonable performance and fair use by all users, there are bandwidth control and time control for each connection. For better understanding of the services to be provided, you are required to read the "Conditions of Use and Disclaimers" (the Conditions) and accept the Conditions before using the GovWiFi service. A 24-hour Hotline (186 111) is available for addressing any queries on usage that you may have.

How to use free GovWiFi service

Visit a government venue where GovWiFiservice is provided (these premises will have GovWiFisignage posted, the GovWiFi Locatorcan help you to locate these premises).
Turn on a Wi-Fi enabled mobile device that is compatible with IEEE 802.11 b/g standards.
Establish your Wi-Fi connection (for details, please see Setup Guides).
To use unencrypted connection,
- Set the Network ID (SSID) to "freegovwifi" and click "Connect";
- Go to step 6.
To use encrpyted connection,
- Set the Network ID (SSID) to "freegovwifi-e" and click "Connect";
- Input user name: "govwifi" and password: "govwifi".
Open your web browser and accept "Conditions of Use and Disclaimers".
Start free surfing.

Note:
Signal strength of GovWiFi may vary at different spots. Some less powerful mobile devices may have a weak connection at some spots. For a stable Wi-Fi connection, you may move to areas with stronger Wi-Fi signal.

Verify Service
You can verify whether you are connecting to the GovWiFi service by clicking "Verify Service" in the GovWiFi landing page. This should trigger a closed lock icon ( ) being shown on your browser. By further clicking this icon, you can see details of the certificate concerned and can verify whether (a) the certificate is issued by "Hongkong Post e-Cert CA 1" and (b) it is for the domain "ecert.wifi.gov.hk".

System Requirements

Hardware:

IEEE 802.11b/g compatible Wi-Fi device

Operating System:

Windows based operating systems such as Windows 2000 Professional, Windows XP (Service Pack 2), Windows Vista
Mac OS based operating systems such as Mac OS X
Symbian
Windows Mobile 5.0 or above

(The system requirements provided are for information only. You may check the user manual of your device or consult your supplier for more exact details.)

Some tips in using the service:

DOs:

Ensure that adequate security measures have been implemented on your Wi-Fi devices to protect them against virus and other cyber attacks.
Observe the Conditions of Use as well as specific rules that may be set out at individual premises.
Comply with all applicable laws of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

DON'Ts:

Access illegal gambling websites or websites with indecent and/or obscene materials.
Transfer, upload or download unauthorised data, software or works that infringe copyrights or Intellectual Property Rights of any parties.
Perform improper or illegal activities such as propagating computer virus, sending spam emails, and launching attacks to other Internet users / websites.
Monopolise or overload the Wi-Fi networks.

Setup Guides:

(Information of some commonly used operation systems is provided below for reference. For information of other operating systems, please consult relevant suppliers.)