Hi Tony

I got on to a trick when I was in the US last that worked incredibly well.

Whilst Tmobile or Boingo etc charge say $9.95 for a day pass at airport hotspots, they will often have a monthly pass for say $7 a month. I did this with Boingo last time, and it isn't a contract so you can cancel anytime. I paid $7 to have access at all airports I was at (most have boingo) for a 3 week period, and then cancelled it by email no questions asked, no extra charges. I was suspicious at first, thinking what if I get locked in etc, but it was not even a problem.

As for phones, imo sim phones are the way to go (so long as they are unlocked). The issue is not many phones in the US have sim cards.

If you go anywhere in Asia, or Australia you can get sims everywhere. Even our grocery store sells them for $2. Then you just add credit and off you go.

Another option is one of those international cell phones, but I think they are a bit of a rip.

My trips are usually to HKG (don't need a phone, but could get a sim if I wanted) or USA. USA is a special case as your phone system is one of the weirdest in the world. No sims... you pay to recieve calls and texts?! What a rip off. I purchased a virgin mobile phone at walmart at top it up every few months to keep it active. USA and nonrev without a phone = madness.

As for free wifi at airports, in Australia most McDonalds have wifi but that's about all. The airports all have pay in systems.

HKG has a very fast free wifi service at the airport