Often when I am in a hotel or airport, my iPad will connect to the public wifi but will be unable to connect to the Internet. Is this a typical problem with public wifi networks or could their be something wrong with my iPad? I never have this problem on my home wifi.

Some public wifi make you click to agree to terms of use before you can get on. Some have passwords. If you see someone else using the wifi, why not ask?

I just got back from 2 weeks in Ireland, and I was amazed how many places, there and in England, had free Wifi. Even pubs and cafes. Sometimes I needed a password, sometimes I was able to connect effortlessly. I imagine it won't be long before there's free WiFi everywhere.

Originally Posted by Montereybob

Often when I am in a hotel or airport, my iPad will connect to the public wifi but will be unable to connect to the Internet. Is this a typical problem with public wifi networks or could their be something wrong with my iPad? I never have this problem on my home wifi.

You have to be careful about certain public wifi networks. Some people will turn on a wifi network named some free Internet name, but what it does is try to log your accesses or hack into your system.