Wifi Revolution

In a move that will allow travelers to access data and make voice calls via hotspots globally, BT has launched a range of international Wi-Fi vouchers. With these Wi-Fi vouchers travelers can download data and make voice calls that are cheaper at participating hotspots than data roaming services offered by 3G networks. The best advantage of this voucher is that the travelers can get to know the spending on their communications when they are abroad, avoiding hidden charges.

For GBP28 in the US, the vouchers give travelers 500 minutes of Wi-Fi within seven days of first log-in. For Europe, the vouchers are priced at GBP40 and provide 500 minutes of Wi-Fi within 14 days of first log-in.

The vouchers come in European and the American versions. The European version, BT Openzone 500 Europe, covers France, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Denmark. The US, Canada, Brazil, and Argentina are covered by the American version which is called BT Openzone Americas 500. Both the vouchers can also be used throughout the UK and Ireland.

The above announcements came after BT entered into a new deal with high-speed internet provider iBahn to add 1,200 hotels to the existing 9,600 hotels worldwide in its BT Openzone. Here, customers can access Wi-Fi and the iBahn network will go live in November 2007.

According to a report in CBROnline.com, Chris Bruce, general manager at BT Openzone said: “For too long, travelers have had no choice but to be forced onto high roaming charges when making calls outside the UK. Even customers who pick up their phone whilst abroad face huge hidden charges for receiving incoming calls.”

Over the past few years, BT has looked to enhance its Wi-Fi services. In February 2006, BT introduced its Fusion phone for small businesses. When you make a call from the Fusion phone out of your office, the call is routed over a BT broadband connection. The company also launched BT Fusion Wi-Fi for SMBs where consumers can get BT Openzone for cheap calls over Wi-Fi and fast internet connectivity.

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Raju Shanbhag is a contributing editor for TMCnet. To see more of his articles, please visit his columnist page.

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