British Telecom has launched a mobile phone application that will enable their broadband customers to connect their iPhone or Android phone to free unlimited Wi-Fi at one of their hotspots.
There are currently around 1.6 million BT Wi-Fi hotspots around the world. The new application, which is called BT FON, will notify users of what Wi-Fi hotspots are nearby and enable them to connect automatically whenever they come within a Wi-Fi hotspot zone.
BT said that the new application would also include regular updates to the mapping service so that users will always be able to connect to the closest ones.
Users have the option of being prompted before they are signed in to a hotspot or to be automatically logged in to the nearest hotspot when they are out and about. All they have to do to activate the application is enter their BT Internet email and password.
“Millions of BT Total Broadband customers already get free access to the UK’s biggest Wi-Fi network. This free app makes accessing Wi-Fi so simple you don’t even have to think about it” said John Petter, managing director, for BT Retail Consumer.
“This represents real value to our customers at a time when more and more people are using their mobile phone to access the internet”.
Now you might be thinking why you need to download the app when both the iPhone and Android already offer the ability to search for Wi-Fi hotspots.
However, the options currently available mean that users could be directed to Wi-Fi connections that are password protected or paid for Wi-Fi connections. BT FON will only connect to BT hotspots and they will always be free so won’t hike up their mobile phone bill.
The Guardian quotes Mike Wilson, manager of mobiles and broadband at moneysupermarket.com as having said: “There are a lot of users who don’t know that they can use their bundle minutes away from home. The application even has a map that shows users exactly where their closest hot spots are. It’s a real asset to bundle users.”
There’s also an added incentive to download the app and that is that BT will donate 50p to Children in Need every time the app is downloaded up to a maximum of 20,000 downloads which could potentially mean £10,000 for the charity.
The app is available for download on the respective app stores for Android and the iPhone.
