Broadband News

BT loses wifi access to The Cloud

Garnet Roach garnet@consumerchoices.co.uk

BT Openzone customers will no longer have access to The Cloud wireless hotspots from this Thursday (29-09-08).

The partnership between the two firms - which was formed in 2005 - will come to an end at 9am on 2 October, meaning that both home and business BT Openzone (www.BT.com) customers will lose access to The Cloud’s 7,500 UK hotspots.

A spokesperson for The Cloud said: “It’s disappointing for BT Openzone customers that they will no longer be able to benefit from the convenience of our hotspots - we are disappointed that BT could not reach acceptable commercial terms, though we are certain everyone will understand that our service partners, O2 (www.O2.co.uk), Orange (www.Orange.co.uk), AT&T, iPass and many others are happy to do business with The Cloud.”

It has been reported that The Cloud is now offering unhappy BT customers a free 30-day trial if they sign up to the rival’s wireless hotspot service instead.

In an email to its Openzone customers, BT said: “It’s a decision we haven’t made lightly. While we know this affects the wifi coverage you might be used to, or hotspots you regularly visit, the great news is that because the availability of wifi from BT has grown significantly in the past year, we don’t think you'll be too disadvantaged.”

BT still has 3,000 UK hotspots and 40,000 worldwide.

However, Michael Phillips, BroadbandChoices.co.uk product director, said: “With the growing popularity of mobile broadband, the loss of access to The Cloud might prompt some Openzone customers to look for alternative services.”

Related article - Mobile broadband.