BT To Transform Pubs And Cafés In To WiFi Hotspots

BT is today unveiling plans for a wireless broadband network in 1,000 pubs, cafés and restaurants across the UK, in an attempt to increase the popularity of its high speed internet services.

According to reports, the broadband service, known as WiFi, will allow customers to use their laptops to link wire-free into the national broadband network. Users will be able to make high-speed internet connections through special mini stations installed in pub games machines.

BT is also understood to be launching a separate deal to introduce low cost equipment to host the service for £400. This will transform any venue with a broadband link into a WiFi “hotspot”. There are currently 200 of these hotspots in the UK, but BT plans to have 4,000 operating around the country by summer 2005.

It is thought that BT will share revenues with the owners of the hotspot premises, which are likely to include cafés, restaurants, golf courses, airports and hotels. The pubs initiative is likely to include branches of All Bar One and venues owned by Mitchells & Butlers and Enterprise Inns.

WiFi is a rapidly growing area of the broadband market and new figures from Dell’Oro Group show that worldwide sales of wireless networking products increased slightly in the first three months of 2003.

The market research firm calculates that the wireless LAN market grew by 1% quarter-on-quarter realising revenues of £251 million. Unit shipments rose 6% to 4.8 million during the period in question.

BT has been in the spotlight recently after telecoms regulator, Oftel, called on company to reduce the price of its unmetered internet access on the basis that it is charging operators unnecessary costs (see BT Urged To Cut Internet Fees).

BT: 0207 469 2337 www.bt.co.uk

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