Broadband News

BT’s Wi-Fi Takeover

(09-01-07) - BT’s Wi-Fi Takeover - BT has announced plans to bring BT Fusion to the High Street this spring in a move that will see the broadband provider expand its Wi-Fi capabilities.

The introduction of a new range of BT Fusion mobile handsets which will be partnered with and sold at Phones4u is expected to boost sales of its innovative service.

As well as being able to use their BT Home Hub’s wireless signal to make cheap mobile calls, BT Fusion customers will soon have access to the company’s extensive range of BT Openzones across the country and will be able to take advantage of offers such as four minutes talk for the price of one, whenever they’re connected to the Openzone network.

Demonstrating their drive to lead the UK wireless market, the company hopes to create 12 “Wireless Cities” by the end of March 2008, allowing it to be the first to offer a truly converged fixed-mobile service with most of the UK’s major city centres covered.

Steve Andrews, BT chief of Mobility and Convergence said: “This mobile service is a great example of our convergence strategy to keep customers well connected wherever they are. [BT Fusion] knows where you are and connects automatically to Wi-Fi when you are at home or at a BT Openzone hotspot.”

Chris Eagle, BroadbandChoices Commercial Manager added: “BT has clearly taken the lead in owning the public wireless space,” but warned: “It’s important that other major broadband players get a foothold to ensure that there is price competition in the out-of-home-surfing market.”