Community Partnerships

Free Wi-Fi Hotspots Across Rural Alberta

MCSnet sponsors free public Wi-Fi at 193 community venues, from arenas and ag society halls to legions, seniors centres, campgrounds, and museums. One network name, one password, everywhere.

FIND A HOTSPOT

Internet Where the Community Gathers

For more than thirty years MCSnet has connected farms, acreages, and small towns across east central and northern Alberta. The hotspot program takes that a step further: MCSnet sponsors the internet connection at the places where rural communities actually meet, so a parent can work from the arena bleachers, a senior can video call family from the drop-in centre, and a camper can check the forecast from a campground gazebo.

Every hotspot on this page is an MCSnet sponsored hotspot. The venues host the equipment. MCSnet provides the connection. You just connect.

How to Connect

Use these steps to connect at any MCSnet hotspot. The network name and password are the same at every MCSnet sponsored hotspot.

  1. Open Wi-Fi settings on your phone, tablet, or laptop.
  2. Choose the network named MCSNET FREE.
  3. Enter the password freewifi (all lowercase, no spaces).
  4. You are online. There is no sign-in page and nothing to register.

No MCSnet home internet subscription is needed. Access to the building follows the venue’s opening hours and visitor policies.

Can’t see the network? Check that Wi-Fi is turned on and ask venue staff where the hotspot is available.

Hotspot Directory by County

Communities with several hotspots have their own overview page. Every venue has its own page with directions and details.

Athabasca County

Athabasca

Boyle

Breynat

Caslan

Ellscott

Grassland

Island Lake

Perryvale

Rochester

Beaver County

Bruce

Holden

Ryley

Tofield

Viking

Camrose County

Ferintosh

New Norway

Rosalind

Round Hill

County of Barrhead

Barrhead

County of Minburn

Innisfree

Mannville

Minburn

Vegreville

County of St. Paul

Ashmont

County of St. Paul

Elk Point

Heinsburg

Mallaig

St. Paul

Stoney Lake

County of Two Hills

Derwent

Myrnam

Two Hills

Willingdon

County of Vermilion River

Blackfoot

Clandonald

Dewberry

Kitscoty

Marwayne

Paradise Valley

Tulliby Lake

Vermilion

Flagstaff County

Daysland

Hardisty

Heisler

Killam

Lougheed

Strome

Lac La Biche County

Craigend

Lac La Biche

Plamondon

Rich Lake

Lamont County

Andrew

Bruderheim

Chipman

Lamont

Mundare

St. Michael

MD of Bonnyville

Ardmore

Bonnyville

Flat Lake

Fort Kent

Glendon

Riverhurst

MD of Provost

Amisk

Czar

MD of Wainwright

Edgerton

Irma

Smoky Lake County

Bellis

Smoky Lake

Stry

Vilna

Waskatenau

Sturgeon County

Bon Accord

Gibbons

Legal

Redwater

Thorhild County

Abee

Egremont

Radway

Thorhild

Westlock County

Busby

Fawcett

Pickardville

Westlock

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the MCSnet free Wi-Fi really free?

Yes. MCSnet sponsors the internet connection at each venue as part of its community partnership program. There is no fee, no account, and no sign-in page.

Where can I find the hotspot password?

The password is shown in the How to Connect instructions on this page. It is the same at every MCSnet sponsored hotspot. No account or sign-in page is needed.

Can my community hall or arena get an MCSnet hotspot?

MCSnet partners with non-profits, ag societies, legions, seniors clubs, and municipalities across its service area. Contact MCSnet at 1-866-390-3928 to ask about a sponsored hotspot for your venue.

Does using the hotspot cost data on my phone plan?

No. Once you are connected to MCSNET FREE, your phone uses the venue’s Wi-Fi instead of your cellular data.

Looking for Home Internet?

MCSnet is the rural provider behind the free Wi-Fi in rural Alberta. Enter your home address to see available internet services, speeds, and current pricing, then get started with signup.

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