For many theoretical physicists like Machio Kaku, the internet is a type one civilization communication tool—its presence today indicates our human transition from type zero civilization to type one.

Few years ago, having internet access cost a leg and an arm—and even that, the connection was pretty slow. The developed countries have realized the economic and many benefits of granting internet access to all at a cheaper price—and as such they have invested heavily in millions of WIFI hotspots.

In the last few years, price tags on internet access in Europe, America and Asia are being faded away with several cheap restaurants like McDonalds and Coffee shops offering free internet connections via multiple hotspots to their customers.

I’ve been to Netherlands three times in the past  but I have always been locked to my hotel—without taking time to explore the public transportation system and the interesting FREE WIFI service that comes with the various bus and train rides.

London has limited hotspots at some of its train stations and even that, you have to pay to get access to them. There is an on-going investment to offer WIFI hotspots in the many London underground trains by the end of 2015.

I have not heard of any of the red London buses having been equipped with WIFI hotspots, let alone making these hotspots FREE as I have shockingly been enjoying on buses at Apeldoorn, Netherlands.

For the many people who need internet connections on regular basis to work, the countless free WIFI hotspots in Netherlands mean a world to us—and even though my friends out here had mentioned the availability of such service to me, I only felt its immense benefits when I jumped on one of the trains.

I switched trains in Amsterdam and Amersfoort without my internet connection being interrupted and when I later found myself in a bus at a small town called Apeldoorn with a notice of free WIFI starring at me, I couldn’t believe how connected Holland has become…

I have in the past travelled to Sweden and Denmark and even though I used their public transport a lot; I do not remember freely hooking up unto any FREE WIFI hotspot in their trains and buses. I was in Brussels earlier yesterday and the day before but I couldn’t find any FREE WIFI hotspots on their trains and buses either. The Netherlands experience spoilt me , so I kept scanning when I took a trip to Belgium, hoping to catch the same free WIFI service—after all, these countries are just few minutes apart.

It’s great to know and experience the fast pace with which the developed countries are moving; embracing technology and making internet which has become a necessity freely accessible to all on public transports. Surely, a time will come when internet access will be everywhere and no where in many of the developed countries…

Obviously, the FREE WIFI hotspots in the public transports systems are not super fast so you shouldn’t try downloading ‘Breaking Bad’ the moment you jump into one of the trains or buses; but it is a clear indication that, Netherlands understands the benefits of letting people stay connected.

As I mentioned above, the Netherlands experience has taught me that, UK is far behind when it comes to FREE WIFI connectivity; for Ghana, you would be lucky even if your home internet works just fine.

UK has in recent years mounted several FREE WIFI hotspots in many of its malls and It’s time Ghana begin to pay attention to our internet infrastructures too. Because very soon, staying connected will not be an option if you want to keep up with the global speed, it will become a necessity for both business and fun purposes…

A colleague from my postgraduate class who comes from South Korea once stated that, they have super fast internet connections on their underground trains out there. If you are reading this from any other country; share with us how connected your country or area of residence has become…