UK gets 'virtually' free wireless hot spots

NEWS Sandwich bar chain Benugo has established wireless hot spots at two of its London stores, in partnership with wireless communications firm Broadscape. The hot spots will give Benugo customers free high-speed internet access, if they have a laptop or PDA that is either 802.11b or Bluetooth compatible. When they make a purchase, customers will be given an access code that allows them to log into the wireless network for up to 30 minutes, letting them check email and surf the web. The two stores are located at St Johns Street, Clerkenwell and at Berwick Street, Soho. Benugo hopes to boost trade at these outlets by offering this free high-speed wireless access to its customers. Tim Parfitt, Benugo's finance director, said in a statement: "We believe that offering this service for free will encourage an increase in turnover whilst allowing us to concentrate on our core business - excellent food." Starbucks already offers free Wi-Fi at five of its London stores - plus one in Birmingham - in partnership with T-Mobile. According to Broadscape, this "virtually free" hot spot model will prove increasingly popular, as wireless internet access becomes the 21st century equivalent of providing free copies of the day's newspapers. Theo Platt, director of Broadscape, said: "We at Broadscape firmly believe that our 'free to end user' approach will be embraced by venue owners such as hotels and cafes, particularly at a time when a drop in retail spending is forcing businesses to differentiate themselves from the competition." "For the end user it is a choice of another 'mobile' bill with BT/T-Mobile/Megabeam or free access with Broadscape's partners," Platt added.