BT opens up wireless hotspot sharing for UK business users
Written by Anonymous on 12:30 AMTelecom provider BT has extended its BT FON shared Wi-Fi network to Business Total Broadband customers to give them the opportunity to maintain free wireless hotspots as part of their account. John Stokdyk reports
A firmware upgrade will be available this quarter to let users switch their BT Broadband Hubs to a shared Wi-Fi hotspot setting as part of the BT FON network, a joint venture with Spanish WiFi specialist FON. A new hub will be released in July with the hotspot capability already enabled, and an option for customers to deactivate it.
Like the shared home wireless service introduced last November,the shared configuration will set up the WiFi router to run a separate "visitor" channel. The shared bandwidth will be restricted to ensure that the host's download and upload speeds don't suffer, and BT has assured customers that network activity is clearly distinguished between visitors and WiFi hosts, so that the owner of the router will not be held liable for what connected users get up to.
According to the company's press release, BT business users who sign up will join around 70,000 other hotspots within the wireless network. All these hotspots will available to BT Openzone users as well as the usual sites at railway stations and hotels. Earlier this month, BT also signed up 330 Cafe Nero coffee shops to its network, now claimed to be the world's largest.
Offices, shops, restaurant or small companies will now be able to let wireless visitors and neighbours use their routers to check e-mail, surf the web and make voice over internet protocol (VoIP) calls. "It also offers the option to create a new revenue stream by selling BT Openzone vouchers whilst serving their customers and visitors better," said BT Business managing director Bill Murphy.
For details of the BT Openzone wireless hotspots near you, consult the maps at BT FON, FON (international hotspots) and BT Openzone (includes outdoor wireless patches in several UK city centres). Each map is slightly different - but added together, they all give good coverage in built-up urban areas.
AccountingWEB.co.uk 22nd April 2008
A firmware upgrade will be available this quarter to let users switch their BT Broadband Hubs to a shared Wi-Fi hotspot setting as part of the BT FON network, a joint venture with Spanish WiFi specialist FON. A new hub will be released in July with the hotspot capability already enabled, and an option for customers to deactivate it.
Like the shared home wireless service introduced last November,the shared configuration will set up the WiFi router to run a separate "visitor" channel. The shared bandwidth will be restricted to ensure that the host's download and upload speeds don't suffer, and BT has assured customers that network activity is clearly distinguished between visitors and WiFi hosts, so that the owner of the router will not be held liable for what connected users get up to.
According to the company's press release, BT business users who sign up will join around 70,000 other hotspots within the wireless network. All these hotspots will available to BT Openzone users as well as the usual sites at railway stations and hotels. Earlier this month, BT also signed up 330 Cafe Nero coffee shops to its network, now claimed to be the world's largest.
Offices, shops, restaurant or small companies will now be able to let wireless visitors and neighbours use their routers to check e-mail, surf the web and make voice over internet protocol (VoIP) calls. "It also offers the option to create a new revenue stream by selling BT Openzone vouchers whilst serving their customers and visitors better," said BT Business managing director Bill Murphy.
For details of the BT Openzone wireless hotspots near you, consult the maps at BT FON, FON (international hotspots) and BT Openzone (includes outdoor wireless patches in several UK city centres). Each map is slightly different - but added together, they all give good coverage in built-up urban areas.
AccountingWEB.co.uk 22nd April 2008
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