Charing Cross Tube station is the latest addition to BT’s wireless broadband network. Commuters can now connect to the web in the ticket hall area and Northern and Bakerloo line platforms at the station as part of a 6 month trial from London Underground and BT.
Gavin Patterson, chief executive officer, BT Retail, said: “Demand for wireless access is growing at a record rate, we’ve have added more than 780,000 hotspots in the last six months and will continue to meet the demand as more and more smart-phone, laptop, tablet, iPod and e-reader users choose WiFi to stay connected when they are out and about. What’s more our BT Total Broadband customers have free and unlimited access to the largest WiFi network in the UK included in their broadband package.”
The two million-strong Wi-Fi estate is the biggest in the UK and comprises hotspots from the BT FON Wi-Fi Community, BT Openzone, plus BT Openzone hotspots via the BT Business Hub. Well-known brands offering access include Hilton, Thistle, Ramada Jarvis and Macdonald hotel chains, Caffe Nero and Starbucks coffee stores, Welcome Break and RoadChef Costa service stations, British Airways, Star Alliance, American Airlines and SkyTeam airport lounges plus other UK transport hubs.
BT Total Broadband customers with an iPhone or Android device can also download a free application that gives easy mobile access to free and unlimited Wi-Fi and includes a mapping service which is updated weekly so that customers can find their nearest hotspot. To date over 170,000 people have downloaded the app from the iTunes App Store and the Android Market.