Broadband News
Wi-fi usage up 350% as campers go glam
Friday, 13 August 2010
By Garnet Roach garnet@consumerchoices.co.uk
Increasing numbers of Brits are going online as they holiday in camp sites and holiday parks up and down the country, according to new research.
Almost 5.5 million camping trips were taken across the UK last year - a 29% increase on the previous year, said BT broadband (www.BT.com), with families turning to their netbooks, iPhones, iPads and other smartphones for entertainment and inspiration when the weather turns bad.
The rise in “glamorous camping” or “glamping” as BT calls it, has seen wi-fi usage shoot up 350% at UK holiday and leisure parks, including camping and caravanning club sites during the first two weeks of the school summer holidays.
Chris Bruce, CEO at BT Openzone, said: “Technology is coming to the aid of the traditional British holiday, as more and more people opt for more glamorous camping holidays. Wi-fi is proving to be a simple but essential way for holidaymakers to access the internet and to keep their families amused during unpredictable weather.”
More than five million BT broadband customers already enjoy access to the BT wireless hotspot network at no extra cost, while many mobile broadband customers with inclusive wi-fi minutes from their providers - such as those signed up to O2 mobile broadband (www.O2.co.uk) or Orange mobile broadband (www.Orange.co.uk) - can also access the BT Openzone network for free.
Other customers can buy BT Openzone vouchers online costing as little as 1p per minute for a 30-day voucher.
Customers can connect at more than 1.5 million residential and commercial hotspots in the UK and Ireland including coffee shops, hotels, airports and restaurants. The broadband provider recently launched an iPhone and Android app that allows customers to find their nearest BT hotspot.
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