UK’s largest Wi-Fi provider announces record number of hotspots
BT has today cemented its position as the UK’s largest WiFi provider by announcing a two million-strong hotspot network. The hotspots are available in homes, independent businesses, high street chains, major city centres and now the underground.
Charing Cross Tube station is the latest addition to BT’s wireless broadband network. Commuters can now connect to the web in the ticket hall area and Northern and Bakerloo line platforms at the station as part of a 6 month trial from London Underground and BT.
Gavin Patterson, chief executive officer, BT Retail, said: “Demand for wireless access is growing at a record rate, we’ve have added more than 780,000 hotspots in the last six months and will continue to meet the demand as more and more smart-phone, laptop, tablet, iPod and e-reader users choose WiFi to stay connected when they are out and about. What’s more our BT Total Broadband customers have free and unlimited access to the largest WiFi network in the UK included in their broadband package.”
The two million-strong Wi-Fi estate is the biggest in the UK and comprises hotspots from the BT FON Wi-Fi Community, BT Openzone, plus BT Openzone hotspots via the BT Business Hub. Well-known brands offering access include Hilton, Thistle, Ramada Jarvis and Macdonald hotel chains, Caffe Nero and Starbucks coffee stores, Welcome Break and RoadChef Costa service stations, British Airways, Star Alliance, American Airlines and SkyTeam airport lounges plus other UK transport hubs.
BT Total Broadband customers with an iPhone or Android device can also download a free application that gives easy mobile access to free and unlimited Wi-Fi and includes a mapping service which is updated weekly so that customers can find their nearest hotspot. To date over 170,000 people have downloaded the app from the iTunes App Store and the Android Market.
For more information visit www.bt.com/freewifi .
The estate includes:
· Circa 1,955,000 BT FON hotspots: These are public Wi-Fi hotspots broadcast by BT Home Hubs.
· Circa 195,000 BT Business Hubs broadcasting a BT Openzone public Wi-Fi signal
· Circa 3,900 BT Openzone hotspots in popular UK and Ireland locations including hotels, coffee shops, major city centres, airport lounges and terminals and marinas.
For further information or interviews please contact April Flanagan or Natalie Card at the BT Press Office:
Tel: 0207 479 4310
Email: april@kazoo.co.uk / natalie@kazoo.co.uk
About BT
BT is one of the world’s leading providers of communications solutions and services operating in more than 170 countries. Its principal activities include the provision of networked IT services globally; local, national and international telecommunications services to our customers for use at home, at work and on the move; broadband and internet products and services and converged fixed/mobile products and services. BT consists principally of four lines of business: BT Global Services, Openreach, BT Retail and BT Wholesale.
