O2 launching free and open WiFi network across the UK and plans to offer seamless, fast and free internet for all.O2 also promises will be double the size of existing networks by 2013.Initially the hotspots will be available in 450 O2 owned sites but will be expanded to other locations…….
O2 plans to deploy a market-changing public Wi-Fi platform in the UK with the launch of O2 Wifi. O2’s premium hotspots will be managed through partnerships with key venue owners and will be open for all customers to access for free and no matter which mobile or broadband provider they are with.O2 is aiming to create a scaled Wi-Fi platform that will be at least double the number of premium hotspots currently offered by BT Openzone and The Cloud combined by 2013. It will begin rollout immediately by replacing its existing 450 Cloud hotspots in its retail and office estate.O2 Wifi partnerships with strategic venues to include shops, restaurants, retail outlets and outdoor and indoor locations across the UK.
O2 Wifi service will address the many shortcomings of current public Wi-Fi offerings by being genuinely free to customers, simple, fast and secure.O2 Wifi will introduce a new level of customer engagement, driving increased value for both the Wi-Fi hosting venue and the user by bringing together O2 Wifi with the capabilities of O2 Media and O2 Money to offer the potential to deliver relevant timely content that customers want in a format that suits them.Access to the hotspots will be through a simple sign-up process and will be free to both O2 and non-O2 mobile customers.The sign up process will be auto provisioned for all O2 customers with Wi-Fi devices by the end of the year. All hotspots will be premium public hotspots as opposed to using residential connections with limited bandwidth.
O2 has long been a market-leader in provision of public Wi-Fi services across mobile devices, introducing unlimited Wi-Fi access included in iPhone tariffs over three years ago. Through O2’s partnerships with BT Openzone and The Cloud adoption and growth of Wi-Fi services has been significant with customers seeing real usage benefits..O2 is increasing investment in its mobile network by 25% in 2011. These investments will allow O2 to offer customers access to a suite of layered technologies, including 2G, EDGE, 3G, 4G, HSPA+ and Wi-Fi, seamlessly, simply and at speed.
