BT today announced a new free mobile application that will automatically connect customers to its network of 1.6 million Wi-Fi hotspots. To celebrate the launch, BT says it is giving 50p to BBC Children in Need for each free BT FON application downloaded, until they reach a target of £10,000.
Users with an iPhone or Android device can download the free application today from the iTunes App Store and the Android Market. The application gives BT Total Broadband customers 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.
Once BT customers have downloaded the app, they input their btinternet email username and password, and choose to be automatically logged in whenever they are in a BT Wi-Fi area. Because access is unlimited and free for BT Total Broadband customers there’s no chance of them racking up extra costs on their mobile phone bill, says BT.
BT’s Wi-Fi network is the biggest in the UK – made up of BT Openzone and BT FON hotspots – and all BT Total Broadband customers have free and unlimited access. BT Openzone is a Wi-Fi service that can be accessed in places such as airports, hotels, coffee shops, motorway service stations and city centres.
John Petter, managing director, for BT Retail Consumer, said: “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. This represents real value to our customers at a time when more and more people are using their mobile phone to access the internet. By downloading it now customers can also help BBC Children in Need.”