Users of Wi-Fi hotspots operated by the UK's BT clocked up twice the number of minutes online between April and September 2008, than the same period last year. The half year figures, combining BT Openzone and BT FON are 100% up on the same period in 2007 and 57% up on the previous six months.

The half year peaks are paired with an explosion in the availability of Wi-Fi products. New figures from the Wi-Fi Alliance (October 2008) show that 5,000 consumer and enterprise products have now been certified.

The numbers include use of BT FON, the world’s largest Wi-Fi community where members share their broadband connection and join a network of wireless hotspots. The service, launched in October 2007 has created thousands of new places to log on in the UK.

BT Openzone UK and Ireland managed hotspots total more than 3,000 and, following the additions of international operators: iBAHN, Wayport, Vex, Swisscom Hospitality Services, WeRoam and METEOR in October, more than 50,000 worldwide Wi-Fi sites are now available.

Dave Hughes, director, BT wireless broadband said: “It’s great to see users embracing broadband on the move. BT is committed to keeping customers connected with a fast and reliable service – in or out of the home or office. We have already built extensive Wi-Fi coverage with BT Openzone at thousands of popular locations and, as BT FON grows daily, the choice of places to connect is getting better and better.”

BT customers joining the BT FON community agree to share a small portion of their home broadband connection, by opening up a separate, secure channel on their wireless router – the BT Home Hub.

Source:cellular-news