BT customers lose thousands of Wi-Fi hotspots

 

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By Barry Collins

Posted on 26 Sep 2008 at 15:24

BT customers will lose access to 6,500 Wi-Fi hotspots across the UK after the company split with wireless provider The Cloud.

BT customers will not be able to use The Cloud network from 2 October, after the two companies failed to reach an agreement on costs.

"It's disappointing for BT Openzone customers that they will no longer be able to benefit from the convenience of our hotspots," The Cloud claims in a statement.

"We are disappointed that BT could not reach acceptable commercial terms though we are certain everyone will understand that our service partners, O2, Orange, AT&T, iPass and many others are happy to do business with The Cloud."

The split will affect not only BT Openzone Wi-Fi subscribers and voucher holders, but BT home and business customers who have Wi-Fi access included in their monthly packages.

An FAQ page on BT's website claims customers can benefit from plenty of alternative hotspots. "Customers can continue to get excellent Wi-Fi coverage through more than 3,000 premier BT Openzone hotspots (including Wi-Fi coverage in 12 wireless UK city centres) and can access more than 40,000 Wi-Fi hotpots worldwide through our agreements with roaming partners," it reads.

"What's more, customers can also take advantage of Wi-Fi coverage provided by the BT FON Community, now with more than 121,000 members."