BT signs up Macdonald's for drive-thru Wi-Fi

By Alun Williams

Posted on 7 Jan 2004 at 16:47

Macdonald's fast food joints will soon be supporting Wi-Fi access following a deal with BT. The golden arches will now be the location for a further 500 BT Openzone access points.

The idea of lingering over fast food might seem contradictory but in fact most of the sites will be at drive-thru restaurants. BT cites the popularity of drive-thrus with business travellers and the laptop will be easily available in the car, too.

Given the popularity of Macdonald's, the deal certainly represents a significant boost for wireless networking. BT Openzone is also happy with the deal because such locations are complementary to more 'premium' locations at airports and top hotels.

'We already have a vast network of BT Openzone access points at key locations for road warriors,' said BT's MD for Products and Enterprises, Steve Andrews, 'and these at McDonald's will help to boost that network.'

Andrews highlighted the forthcoming UK wireless week (starting 26 January). 'These sites will also help to provide easily accessible locations where the large number of people who haven't yet tried Wi-Fi can log on for free and try before they buy during Wireless Broadband Week this month,' he added.

All of the access points should be installed by the end of March, taking Openzone's total of sites to 2,200.

You can find more info about Openzone, including the charging rates, at www.bt.com/openzone.