Help & Support Centre

How can we help you?

Everything you need to know about ISN Free WiFi — connecting, bundles, security, your rights, and how to reach us.

How It Works For Businesses What's New FAQ API Integration Security Privacy Policy Terms of Service Contact Support

How ISN Free WiFi Works

Get free internet access in three simple steps — no credit card, no subscription.

ISN Free WiFi is available at partner locations across South Africa. Connect to the hotspot and your browser will open the portal automatically.
1

Connect to the WiFi Hotspot

Select the ISN Free WiFi network on your device. Your browser will automatically open the captive portal, or navigate to any website to be redirected.

2

Register or Log In

Enter your South African mobile number (e.g. 0831234567) or email address. First-time users create a free account in seconds. Returning users are recognised automatically.

3

Choose a Data Bundle & Watch Ads

Pick how much data you need. A short playlist of video ads plays automatically. Once all required ads have been watched, your internet session unlocks instantly.

4

Browse Freely

Enjoy your session. When your data or time expires you can unlock another bundle by watching more ads — as many times as you like.

Available Data Bundles

100MB
Watch 5 ads
⏱ 1 hour access
Most Popular
250MB
Watch 10 ads
⏱ 1.5 hours access
500MB
Watch 15 ads
⏱ 2 hours access

Troubleshooting for Users

Portal Not Opening

  • Open any http:// website (not https) to trigger the redirect, e.g. http://neverssl.com
  • Disable your VPN if active
  • Forget and reconnect to the WiFi network
  • Try a different browser

Ads Not Playing

  • Ensure your device volume is not muted
  • Disable any ad-blocker browser extensions
  • Make sure you are still connected to the WiFi (not switched to mobile data)
  • Refresh the page and try again

Internet Didn't Unlock After Ads

  • Wait 10–15 seconds for the session to activate
  • Reconnect to the WiFi network
  • Close all browser tabs and try browsing again
  • If still stuck, contact support below with your phone number and location

Data Ran Out Too Quickly

  • Background apps (OS updates, cloud sync) consume data silently — close them
  • Video streaming uses more data than browsing
  • You can always unlock another bundle by watching more ads

Advertise & Partner with ISN Free WiFi

Reach a captive audience — or grow the network by partnering with us.

Advertise Your Brand

Every user unlocking free WiFi watches your ad from start to finish — 100% view-through rate, no skip button, no ad blocker. Your brand plays full-screen on the captive portal before they can access the internet.

Who Should Advertise?

  • Local businesses targeting foot traffic near hotspot venues
  • FMCG brands reaching township & community markets
  • Telcos, banks, insurance & retail chains
  • Events, product launches & limited-time promotions
  • Government & NGO public awareness campaigns

Ad Formats & Pricing

  • 15–30 second pre-roll video ads (uploaded & hosted on our platform)
  • 100% captive view-through rate — no skip, no block
  • From R0.20 per view
  • Geo-targeted by venue or hotspot location
  • Real-time impression & click-through reporting

How to Start

  • Step 1: Contact us via WhatsApp or email
  • Step 2: Upload your video (MP4) & select target venue(s)
  • Step 3: Agree budget, CPV rate & go-live date
  • Step 4: Campaign goes live same or next business day
  • Step 5: Monitor live impressions in the dashboard

Become a Network Partner

We are actively growing our footprint. Whether you supply internet connectivity, operate multiple venues, or want to resell the platform — we have a partnership model for you.

ISP & Connectivity Partners

  • Supply internet backhaul to ISN Free WiFi hotspot locations
  • Bundle WiFi monetisation with your broadband or LTE offerings
  • Preferred-partner status, referral fees & SLA commitments
  • Co-branded captive portal for white-label deployments

Venue Network Operators

  • Deploy across malls, schools, townships & community centres
  • Earn ad revenue share across all your locations
  • Multi-location dashboard with consolidated reporting
  • Dedicated account manager & priority support SLA

Resellers & Tech Partners

  • Resell or integrate the ISN Free WiFi platform under your brand
  • Commission-based revenue — earn on every active location
  • Full API access, technical docs & onboarding support
  • Co-market with ISN Free WiFi to reach new venue operators
Ready to advertise or partner? WhatsApp or email us — we typically respond within 2 business hours.

Manage Your Routers & Remote CLI

Already running ISN Free WiFi? Every router on your network is added, configured, and controlled from your own dashboard — you never need to log into a router's own web page (e.g. http://192.168.1.1) or use your router vendor's app/RMS portal again.

Step 1: Add your router

  • In your dashboard, go to Routers and click Add router
  • Give it a name and location (e.g. "Front desk", "Block C")
  • You'll get a one-time install command — copy it
  • Connect to the router once (SSH, or its terminal/CLI page) and paste the command in — it installs our lightweight agent and starts checking in automatically
  • You'll also get a working External Login URL to paste into the router's own Hotspot settings (its UAM/redirect field) — no domain of your own required to get started
  • Works on any OpenWRT-based router (Teltonika RUT-series, GL.iNet, and others), not just one brand

Step 2: Manage it day-to-day

  • Click a router in the list to open its settings
  • Change the guest WiFi name/password, or make it an open (no-password) network
  • Set a per-guest speed limit (in Mbps — your choice, no hidden cap) or a total line-speed cap for that router
  • Restart the router remotely, or remove it, right from the same screen

Step 3: Remote CLI for advanced changes

  • Go to Remote CLI & restart in your dashboard
  • Re-enter your dashboard password and choose how long to unlock it (2–30 minutes)
  • Pick the router and type a command — full shell access, so anything you could do over SSH works here (multiple commands chained with ; or && run as one script)
  • Output appears on screen, and every command — successful or not — is saved to your Command history below it
This is real, unrestricted access to your router — the same level of control as logging in directly, just reached through your dashboard instead. Your password gate and full audit history are the safety net, not a restricted command list, so treat it with the same care you would SSH access. Every router and every command is strictly isolated to your own account — no tenant can ever see or reach another tenant's routers or command history.

What's New in Your Dashboard September 2026

A full visual and workflow redesign of your Business Dashboard — same login, same data, faster to use.

Nothing about how your account, campaigns, routers, or billing actually work has changed — this is a redesign of the interface itself, not a change to any feature's behaviour. If something looks unfamiliar after logging in, it's almost certainly one of the items below.

A real sidebar, not a top bar

  • Navigation moved from the old horizontal tab bar into a slim icon sidebar on the left — hover it to see the full labels
  • The sidebar is coloured in your own brand colour, not a generic grey, so it looks like your dashboard from the moment it loads
  • A second panel opens next to it for Settings and Data/Analytics, so long pages get their own jump-to-section menu instead of one long scroll

Tabs load themselves now

  • The Data tab's Live, Users, Businesses, Transactions, and Routers sections used to stay empty until you clicked Refresh — they now load the moment you open them
  • The Live section refreshes itself every 15 seconds on its own while you're viewing it
  • Whichever tab — and sub-tab — you were last on is remembered, so a page refresh no longer drops you back to Dashboard/Overview

Clearer campaign targeting

  • Age targeting, Schedule (day/hour), Locations, and Frequency Cap in the Add Campaign form now each sit in their own clearly separated card instead of running together as one dense block
  • Day-of-week and location checkboxes are now tap-friendly toggle chips instead of tiny native checkboxes

Rebuilt for phones

  • The phone header is now logo on the left, business name centred, menu on the right — instead of a cramped single row
  • The hamburger menu has real icons next to every item now, and correctly shows which tab you're actually on
  • Rows that scroll sideways (like the Data tab's sub-nav) now show tap arrows, since a swipe alone isn't always obvious on a small screen

Every table and pop-up, one look

  • Tables, pop-up dialogs, and confirmation prompts across every tab now share one flat, consistent design instead of a mix of old and new styles
  • Loading states use an animated preview instead of a plain "Loading…" line
  • Scrollbars and hover colours follow your own brand colour everywhere, including a couple of spots that used to be hardcoded to ISN's own red regardless of your branding

A modern icon set throughout

  • The old, colourful gradient icons across Dashboard, Routers, and Campaigns have been replaced with a flat, single-colour icon set that matches the rest of the redesign
  • Summary cards (Registered Users, Ad Views, Active Campaigns, and so on) now share one consistent card design instead of two different-looking styles side by side

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers for users, businesses, and admins.

Is ISN Free WiFi actually free?
Yes, completely free. You pay with your attention — by watching short video ads, redeeming a voucher, or answering a short survey, depending on what's switched on here. There is no hidden charge, no subscription, and no credit card required.
Do I need to create an account?
Yes, a free account is required. You register with your South African mobile number or email address. This allows us to track your session, protect your bundle balance, and comply with POPIA. Registration takes under 30 seconds.
What happens when my session expires?
Your internet access is paused. You can unlock another bundle by watching more ads — immediately, as many times as you like. Your account and history are retained.
Can I use ISN Free WiFi on multiple devices at once?
Each account supports one active session at a time per hotspot. If you log in on a second device, the first session may be paused. Contact support if you need multi-device access.
My phone number was recognised but I can't log in. What do I do?
Try the "Forgot Password" option on the login page. An OTP will be sent to your number. If you no longer have access to that number, contact support at info@isnfreewifi.co.za to update your account.
Does ISN Free WiFi work on all devices?
Yes — Android phones, iPhones, tablets, and laptops all work. Any device with a web browser can use the captive portal. Older Android devices (pre-Android 7) occasionally have ad playback issues; the system will fall back to a simulated mode to avoid blocking your session.
What is a captive portal?
A captive portal is a web page that appears automatically when you connect to a public WiFi network. It acts as a gateway — you must interact with it (register, watch ads) before your device is given full internet access. All public hotspots — airports, malls, hotels — use captive portals.
What ad formats does ISN Free WiFi support?
Two formats are available: video ads (uploaded MP4 files, max 500 MB) and image slideshows (up to 15 images with a configurable display duration). Each ad can include a call-to-action button — visit a website, click to call, open WhatsApp, send an email, or show directions.
How much does it cost to run an ad?
Pricing is cost-per-view (CPV). Plans start at R0.20 per view for standard pre-roll (skippable after 15 s), rising to R0.45 per view for Aggressive + Skip Disabled (maximum exposure, unskippable). Other tiers include R0.30 (skip disabled), R0.32 (homepage takeover), R0.35 (aggressive). Custom rates are available for campaigns with a minimum budget of R15,000.
Can users skip my ad?
Depends on the plan. On the Standard plan users can skip after 15 seconds. On Skip Disabled or Aggressive + Skip Disabled plans the skip button is hidden and users must watch the full ad. Skip control is enforced server-side.
How long can a campaign run?
You set the duration — days, weeks, months, or years. The campaign pauses automatically at the end of the period. If the budget is exhausted before the end date, the campaign also pauses. Ads are permanently deleted 14 days after ending unless reactivated by an admin.
Can I target specific age groups?
Yes. Age targeting options are: All ages, Under 18 only, 18+ (alcohol, adult products), and 21+ (gambling, clubs). Restrictions are enforced server-side per South African law — ads marked 18+ or 21+ are automatically hidden from registered minors.
How do I track how my campaign is performing?
The Business Dashboard shows real-time impression counts, click-through rates per CTA button, hourly trend charts, and device-type breakdowns for all active campaigns. Billing invoices are generated monthly and available as PDF downloads from the Billing tab.
Do you offer an API for programmatic ad management?
Yes. From the Settings → API Keys section in the dashboard you can generate API keys with granular scopes: read (pull campaign stats and analytics), write (create/update campaigns programmatically), and webhooks (receive real-time event push notifications to your endpoint). See the API Integration section on this page for full documentation, endpoint reference, platform guides (Zapier, Power BI, Google Sheets, Make, n8n), and code examples for Python, Node.js, and Apps Script.
Can I integrate marketing pixels (Facebook, Google) with my campaigns?
Yes. The Settings → Marketing Pixels section lets you attach your Facebook Pixel ID and Google Tag Manager container ID to your business account. Pixel events fire when users interact with your CTA button, enabling retargeting and conversion tracking in your ad accounts.
How do I get started with advertising?
Contact us at info@isnfreewifi.co.za or on WhatsApp at +27706447166. Our team will create your business account, help you set up your first campaign, and guide you through the dashboard. Campaigns are typically live within 24 hours of account setup.
How much does it cost to offer ISN Free WiFi at my business?
There is a monthly service fee that covers platform access, cloud hosting, analytics, and support. Contact us at info@isnfreewifi.co.za for current pricing. Ad revenue generated at your location is shared with you on agreed terms.
What internet connection do I need?
Any broadband connection of 10 Mbps or faster is sufficient for moderate user volumes. We recommend at least 25 Mbps for busy venues. The ISN Free WiFi system works over fibre, LTE/5G home broadband, or business ADSL. Your existing ISP contract is unaffected.
Can I restrict certain websites or content for my patrons?
Yes. The platform includes a content filtering layer. Adult content, gambling, and known malware domains are blocked by default. You can request additional category blocks (e.g. social media) through your business dashboard's Settings panel or by contacting support.
What router is required?
ISN Free WiFi operates on Teltonika RUT360 cellular/ethernet routers. These are configured by our team before delivery and require no technical knowledge from you to operate. If you already have a compatible router, our team will assess and configure it remotely.
How do I reset a user's session or unlock a device manually?
Log into your business dashboard, navigate to the Users tab, search for the user, and use the "Unlock" action. For urgent issues outside business hours, contact support on WhatsApp at +27706447166.
Can I see analytics for my venue?
Yes. Your Business Dashboard shows per-location data: total users, data consumed, active sessions, most and least visited domains, hourly traffic trends, and ad impression counts. All data is refreshed in real time. You can also monitor your router's online/offline status from the Routers tab.
What data does the system collect about my customers?
The system collects: phone number or email (for session identity), device MAC address (for network management), data consumed per session, and ad view counts. No browsing history is logged. All data handling is compliant with POPIA. See our Privacy Policy for full details.
Do I need to be an ISP to become a network partner?
No. We work with businesses of all sizes — from single-location cafés and salons to multi-site retail chains and ISPs who want to offer managed WiFi monetisation to their clients. For ISP and reseller partnerships, contact us at info@isnfreewifi.co.za for a tailored agreement.
How do I access the admin dashboard?
Navigate to the ISN Free WiFi Dashboard and log in with your admin credentials. The admin dashboard has elevated permissions including cross-business reporting, user management, router registry, and audit trail access.
How do I add a new router to the system?
In the admin dashboard, go to the Routers tab and click "Add Router". Enter the router's serial number, MAC, assigned business, and location. Then SSH into the router to run the ISN Free WiFi agent installer script, which auto-registers the device with the platform. Instructions are in the Routers tab inline help.
How do I create or manage ad campaigns?
Go to the Campaigns tab in the admin dashboard. You can create a new campaign (upload a video or image set, set the advertiser name, headline, CTA button, CPV plan, budget, duration, and age targeting), then activate, pause, or delete campaigns. Impression counts and click-through stats are shown per campaign in real time.
What is the ISN Free WiFi admin account vs a business account?
The ISN (SaaS operator) account has platform-wide visibility — all routers, all businesses, all campaigns, all billing. Business accounts see only their own location's data. Admin accounts are provisioned directly by ISN Free WiFi; business accounts are created through the registration flow.
Where can I find the agent installation script?
From the admin dashboard, open the Routers tab, select the target router, and click "Download Agent Script". The script auto-fills the router ID, server URL, and credentials. It is designed for Teltonika OpenWRT-based devices and provides automated boot persistence.
How do API keys and webhooks work for the platform?
From Settings → API Keys, you can generate keys with three scope levels: read (analytics and campaign data), write (campaign and user management), and webhooks (push events to external endpoints on session start/end, ad views, and unlocks). Keys are displayed only once at creation — copy and store them securely. You can revoke any key at any time.
How do I manage business accounts and billing?
The SaaS admin panel includes a Business Accounts section for creating, editing, and impersonating business accounts. The Billing tab generates monthly invoices per business account with PDF download support. Budget management tools let you allocate and track ad spend across accounts.

API Integration

Connect ISN Free WiFi to Zapier, Power BI, Google Sheets, HubSpot, Make, n8n, and your own applications via our REST API.

Your data stays yours. Every API key is cryptographically bound to your business account — no other business can access your data regardless of the key used. Access is enforced at both the application layer and the database (Row-Level Security).

Getting Started

Three steps to your first API call — no server-side code required for Zapier, Power BI, or Google Sheets integrations.

Step 1 — Generate an API Key

In your Business Dashboard, go to Settings → API Integration and click Generate Key. Give it a descriptive label (e.g. “Zapier”, “Power BI”, “My App”) and select the Read scope. The full key is shown only once — copy it to a password manager before closing the dialog.

Step 2 — Base URL & Authentication Header

All requests go to https://isn-free-wifi.isnfreewifi.co.za. Include your key on every request as the X-Api-Key header. Never put the key in the URL — URLs appear in server logs.

Step 3 — Test Your Connection

Run this command — a successful response returns "ok": true along with key metadata:

curl -H "X-Api-Key: psk_live_..." \ "https://isn-free-wifi.isnfreewifi.co.za/api/v1/keys/me"

API Endpoints

All endpoints are under https://isn-free-wifi.isnfreewifi.co.za/api/v1/ and require a read-scope key in the X-Api-Key header. Your key only returns your own business data.

GET /api/v1/keys/me

Verify your key and retrieve its metadata (label, scopes, rate limit, last used). Returns "ok": true on success. Any scope works — use this to confirm connectivity.

GET /api/v1/analytics?period=1d|7d|30d|all

Aggregate views, clicks, and click-through rate across all your campaigns for the given period (default: 7d). Returns summary.views_in_period, clicks_in_period, click_through_rate_pct, and lifetime totals.

GET /api/v1/campaigns

Full list of your campaigns with status (active / paused / budget_exhausted / expired), views delivered vs required, days left, CPV rate, and budget spend percentage.

GET /api/v1/invoices

Per-campaign billing history — views delivered, price per view, total spend in ZAR, and cumulative total_spent_zar across all campaigns.

Platform Integration Guides

Step-by-step guides for popular no-code and reporting platforms. Open the API Integration Guide in dashboard Settings for the complete walkthrough.

Zapier

  • No code required — use Webhooks by Zapier → GET
  • URL: /api/v1/analytics?period=7d
  • Add header: X-Api-Key = your key
  • Map JSON fields to Slack, Sheets, email, HubSpot & more
  • Set a daily or hourly Schedule trigger

Microsoft Power BI

  • Get Data → Web → Advanced
  • Add header: X-Api-Key = your key
  • Connect all 3 endpoints as separate queries
  • Relate tables by campaign_id
  • Enable Scheduled Refresh for live reports

Google Sheets

  • Extensions → Apps Script (free)
  • Use UrlFetchApp.fetch() with X-Api-Key header
  • Write analytics data into sheet cells automatically
  • Set a daily or hourly time-driven trigger
  • Store key in Script Properties (not in code)

Make (Integromat) & n8n

  • Add an HTTP Request module or node, method GET
  • Store key in Make’s Environment Variables or n8n Header Auth credentials
  • Alert when budget_percent exceeds 80
  • Push data to Airtable, Notion, Slack & more

Looker Studio

  • Use a Google Apps Script Web App as a proxy endpoint
  • The script fetches ISN Free WiFi data & returns it as public JSON
  • Connect Looker Studio to the published Apps Script URL
  • Full guide in Settings → API Integration in your dashboard

HubSpot Workflows

  • Automation → Workflows → Send a webhook action
  • Available on HubSpot Professional & Enterprise
  • Method GET, add X-Api-Key header
  • Map views_in_period to a CRM property

Code Examples

Ready-to-use snippets for your own application. Replace psk_live_... with your key from the dashboard.

Terminal / cURL
# Test connectivity curl -H "X-Api-Key: psk_live_..." \ "https://isn-free-wifi.isnfreewifi.co.za/api/v1/keys/me" # Analytics (last 7 days) curl -H "X-Api-Key: psk_live_..." \ "https://isn-free-wifi.isnfreewifi.co.za/api/v1/analytics?period=7d" # All campaigns curl -H "X-Api-Key: psk_live_..." \ "https://isn-free-wifi.isnfreewifi.co.za/api/v1/campaigns" # Invoice / spend history curl -H "X-Api-Key: psk_live_..." \ "https://isn-free-wifi.isnfreewifi.co.za/api/v1/invoices"
Python 3pip install requests
import requests, os BASE = "https://isn-free-wifi.isnfreewifi.co.za/api/v1" KEY = os.environ["API_KEY"] # never hardcode in source HDR = {"X-Api-Key": KEY} def get_analytics(period="7d"): r = requests.get(f"{BASE}/analytics", params={"period": period}, headers=HDR) r.raise_for_status() return r.json()["summary"] def get_campaigns(): r = requests.get(f"{BASE}/campaigns", headers=HDR) r.raise_for_status() return r.json()["campaigns"] if __name__ == "__main__": stats = get_analytics("30d") print(f"Views: {stats['views_in_period']}, CTR: {stats['click_through_rate_pct']}%") for c in get_campaigns(): print(f"{c['name']}: {c['status']} -- {c['budget_percent']}% used")
JavaScript / Node.jsbuilt-in fetch (Node 18+)
const BASE = "https://isn-free-wifi.isnfreewifi.co.za/api/v1"; const KEY = process.env.API_KEY; // set in .env async function fetchApi(path, params = {}) { const url = new URL(BASE + path); Object.entries(params).forEach(([k, v]) => url.searchParams.set(k, v)); const res = await fetch(url, { headers: { "X-Api-Key": KEY } }); if (!res.ok) throw new Error(`ISN Free WiFi API ${res.status}`); return res.json(); } const analytics = await fetchApi("/analytics", { period: "7d" }); console.log("Views:", analytics.summary.views_in_period); const { campaigns } = await fetchApi("/campaigns"); campaigns.filter(c => c.status === "active") .forEach(c => console.log(`${c.name}: ${c.budget_percent}% used`));
Google Apps Scriptfor Google Sheets
function syncAnalytics() { var KEY = PropertiesService.getScriptProperties().getProperty("API_KEY") || "psk_live_YOUR_KEY_HERE"; var url = "https://isn-free-wifi.isnfreewifi.co.za/api/v1/analytics?period=7d"; var resp = UrlFetchApp.fetch(url, { headers: { "X-Api-Key": KEY }, muteHttpExceptions: true }); var data = JSON.parse(resp.getContentText()); if (!data.ok) { throw new Error("ISN Free WiFi API error: " + (data.message || resp.getResponseCode())); } var ss = SpreadsheetApp.getActiveSpreadsheet(); var s = ss.getActiveSheet(); var sum = data.summary; s.getRange("A1").setValue("Views (7d)"); s.getRange("B1").setValue(sum.views_in_period); s.getRange("A2").setValue("Clicks (7d)"); s.getRange("B2").setValue(sum.clicks_in_period); s.getRange("A3").setValue("CTR %"); s.getRange("B3").setValue(sum.click_through_rate_pct); s.getRange("A4").setValue("Active Cmpgns"); s.getRange("B4").setValue(sum.active_campaigns); } // Store key: Project Settings -> Script Properties -> API_KEY

Security tip: Store the key in Project Settings → Script Properties as API_KEY — never hardcode it in the script.

Security & Rate Limits

API Key Rules

  • Never commit to Git — use environment variables or secret managers
  • One key per integration — revoke one without affecting others
  • Keys shown once only — if lost, revoke and generate a new one
  • Revoke immediately if compromised: Settings → API Integration
  • Read scope is sufficient for all analytics use cases

Tenant Isolation

  • Keys are hashed with SHA-256 — raw key never touches logs
  • Your business_id is read from the database, not from request parameters
  • Cross-business data access is impossible regardless of key
  • Row-Level Security enforced at the PostgreSQL layer

Rate Limits

  • Standard Business & SaaS: 60 req/min per key
  • Admin: 300 req/min per key
  • Exceeded limit returns HTTP 429 with Retry-After: 60
  • Monitor via X-RateLimit-Remaining response header
  • Need higher limits? Contact info@isnfreewifi.co.za

Security

How we protect you, your data, and your business.

ISN Free WiFi is built on the ISN Free WiFi platform — a POPIA-compliant SaaS infrastructure with enterprise-grade security controls, hosted on private cloud infrastructure in South Africa.

HTTPS Everywhere

The captive portal, dashboard, and all API endpoints are served over HTTPS (TLS 1.2+). Authentication tokens are transmitted only over encrypted connections. Your login credentials are never sent in plaintext.

Minimal Data Collection (POPIA)

We collect only what is necessary: your phone number or email for session identity, device MAC address for network management, data bundle usage, and ad view counts. We do not log your browsing history, read your communications, or share personal information with advertisers.

Secure Database with Row-Level Security

User data is stored in an encrypted database with row-level security (RLS) policies. This means each user's data is isolated — one account cannot query, read, or modify another account's records by design, even at the database level.

Session Isolation

Every user session is isolated. Session tokens are bound to device fingerprints and expire automatically. Logout is immediate and cross-tab — signing out on one tab or device revokes all active sessions for that identity.

Content Filtering

All internet traffic through ISN Free WiFi hotspots passes through a domain-level content filter. Adult content, known phishing domains, malware distribution sites, and gambling platforms are blocked by default. Business owners can request custom allowlists or blocklists.

Audit Trail

All significant actions — logins, unlocks, admin changes, billing events — are logged to an immutable audit trail. ISN Free WiFi platform administrators can review this log at any time. Businesses can request their audit extract via support.

Report a Security Issue

If you discover a security vulnerability in our platform, please disclose it responsibly by emailing info@isnfreewifi.co.za with the subject line "Security Disclosure". We aim to respond within 48 hours and will credit responsible disclosures.

Privacy Policy

POPIA-compliant. Last reviewed March 2026.

Effective: 1 March 2026  |  Last Updated: March 2026

1. Who We Are

ISN Free WiFi ("ISN Free WiFi", "we", "us") operates the public WiFi hotspot network accessible at ISN Free WiFi. The underlying platform is provided by ISN Free WiFi, a South African Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) provider. ISN Free WiFi is a licensed operator of the ISN Free WiFi platform and is the responsible party for data collected through the ISN Free WiFi network in terms of the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 ("POPIA").

2. What Personal Information We Collect

  • Identity data: Mobile phone number or email address (used to create and identify your account)
  • Device data: MAC address, device type, and browser type (used for network session management)
  • Usage data: Data bundles consumed, ad views completed, session start/end times, and access location (venue/router)
  • Registration data: First name and surname (optional, provided during account registration)
  • Survey responses (where offered): If you answer a survey to unlock data, your answer is stored without any link to your identity data above — we do not record which account, phone number, or device gave a particular answer

We do not collect: browsing history, message content, financial information, or location beyond the venue you connect from.

3. Why We Collect It (Lawful Basis)

  • Performance of service: To authenticate you, track your bundle balance, and grant/revoke network access
  • Legitimate interest: To prevent fraud, duplicate accounts, and abuse of the free service
  • Consent: To send marketing communications (only where you have opted in)
  • Legal obligation: To retain session logs as required by South African telecommunications and cybercrime law

4. How We Use Your Information

  • Authenticate your login and maintain your active session
  • Credit your account with data bundles after ad completion
  • Generate anonymised analytics for business partners (no personal identifiers)
  • Monitor for abuse, bot activity, and security threats
  • Send service notifications (session expiry, new features) — not advertising, unless consented

5. Sharing of Information

We do not sell your personal information. We share data only with:

  • ISN Free WiFi — as our platform operator and data processor, under contract
  • Business partners — only aggregate, anonymised usage statistics (session counts, data volumes) and, where a survey question was assigned to them, that question's own anonymised responses — no personal identifiers
  • Advertisers — ad impression counts only; advertisers never receive your phone number, email, or MAC address
  • Law enforcement — only when compelled by valid South African court order or statutory obligation

6. Data Retention

  • Active accounts: retained while your account is active
  • Connection & session records (login time, device identifier, data used): retained for 5 years after your last use, then automatically deleted — this floor is set by South Africa's Regulation of Interception of Communications Act (RICA) for communication-related records at electronic communications providers, not something we can shorten on request
  • Survey responses (where offered): retained for 12 months, stored without any link to your identity
  • Deleted accounts: your personal identity data (phone, email, name) is purged within 30 days of a deletion request; connection records already covered by the RICA period above stay subject to that schedule rather than being deleted immediately

7. Your Rights under POPIA

You have the right to:

  • Access a copy of your personal information we hold
  • Correct inaccurate information
  • Request deletion of your account and associated data
  • Object to processing for direct marketing
  • Lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator of South Africa (inforeg.org.za)

To exercise any of these rights, email info@isnfreewifi.co.za with the subject "POPIA Request".

8. Cookies & Local Storage

The portal uses browser session storage and cookies strictly for session management (captive token, router ID, login state). No third-party tracking cookies are used. No advertising pixels are placed on the captive portal pages.

9. Changes to This Policy

We may update this policy periodically. The effective date at the top of this page will be updated. Continued use of the service after a change constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.

10. Contact the Information Officer

ISN Free WiFi Information Officer
Email: info@isnfreewifi.co.za
Phone: +27706447166
Website: ISN Free WiFi

Terms of Service

By using ISN Free WiFi you agree to these terms.

Effective: 1 March 2026

1. Acceptance of Terms

By connecting to a ISN Free WiFi hotspot and creating an account, you agree to these Terms of Service and our Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, do not use the service.

2. The Service

ISN Free WiFi provides internet access at participating business locations in South Africa via an ad-supported captive portal. The service is free of charge to end users who complete the required ad viewing. The service is operated by ISN Free WiFi, licensed from ISN Free WiFi.

3. Eligibility

  • You must be at least 13 years of age to create an account
  • Users under 18 must have parental or guardian consent
  • You must provide accurate registration information (phone number or email)
  • Only one account per person is permitted

4. Acceptable Use

You may use the service only for lawful purposes. You may not:

  • Use the service to distribute malware, ransomware, viruses, or any malicious code
  • Attempt to circumvent, bypass, or interfere with the captive portal, ad system, or authentication mechanism
  • Use automated bots, scripts, or tools to complete ad views or create multiple accounts
  • Download or share copyrighted material illegally (piracy)
  • Conduct hacking, port scanning, or network attacks against any system
  • Access or attempt to access other users' accounts or data
  • Use the service for cryptocurrency mining
  • Engage in any activity that degrades the network for other users

5. Fair Use

To ensure all users have a good experience, we apply reasonable fair-use limits. Heavy background traffic (e.g. OS updates, cloud backups) may be deprioritised during peak hours. Large downloads above 500MB per session may be rate-limited at the router level.

6. Ad Viewing Requirements

The free service is ad-supported. You must watch all required ads for a bundle honestly — do not mute, cover, or minimise the ad player. Any technical issue that prevents an ad from playing is noted by the system and you will not be penalised; contact support if your session fails to unlock.

7. Suspension & Termination

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your account, without notice, if you violate these Terms, engage in abuse, or use the service in a manner that harms other users or the platform. You may appeal a suspension by emailing info@isnfreewifi.co.za.

8. Service Availability

We aim for continuous uptime but do not guarantee uninterrupted service. Maintenance windows, router outages, power failures at partner venues, and ISP issues may cause temporary unavailability. No refunds or compensation apply since the service is free.

9. Intellectual Property

The ISN Free WiFi platform, dashboard, branding, and all software are the intellectual property of ISN Free WiFi, licensed to ISN Free WiFi. You may not copy, reverse-engineer, or reproduce any part of the system.

10. Disclaimer of Warranties

The service is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not warrant that the service will be error-free, secure from all threats, or available at all times. Use at your own risk.

11. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by South African law, ISN Free WiFi and ISN Free WiFi shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from use of or inability to use the service.

12. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the Republic of South Africa. Any disputes shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the South African courts.

13. Changes to Terms

We may update these Terms at any time. Continued use of the service after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the updated Terms.

14. Contact

Questions about these Terms: info@isnfreewifi.co.za

Contact & Support

We're here to help — reach us on WhatsApp, email, or phone.

WhatsApp

+27706447166
Fastest response

Email

info@isnfreewifi.co.za
Response within 24 hours

Phone

+27706447166
Mon–Fri 8am–6pm
For the fastest support response, message us on WhatsApp and include: your phone number / email, the venue name, and a brief description of the issue.

Setting up a router or the Remote CLI? See the Router & Remote CLI Setup guide above — if you get stuck, WhatsApp us and we'll walk through it with you.

ISN Free WiFi is a licensed operator of the ISN Free WiFi SaaS platform.  |  Platform & technology by ISN Free WiFi · info@isnfreewifi.co.za