Users of BT’s Wi-Fi network clocked up twice the number of minutes online between April and September 2008, than the same period last year, according to figures released by the company today.
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, as millions of users log onto the commercial and residential hotspots.
Traffic averaged more than a million minutes a day and eight million minutes per week and the network also recorded its first ever 10 million minute week during September.
The half year peaks follow an explosion in the availability of Wi-Fi products, new figures from the Wi-Fi Alliance show that 5,000 consumer and enterprise products have now been certified. BT has recently launched the BT Business Mobile Broadband service – also providing Wi-Fi access at BT hotspots – as do the O2 iPhone 3G and BT Office Anywhere devices.
The numbers include use of BT FON 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 says its customers can now choose to get online at over 120,000 UK and Ireland locations.
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.”
