BT and McDonald's launch Wi-Fi campaign
BT and McDonald's put BT Openzone Wi-Fi Hotspots on the menu
07 January 2004
BT today announced a huge boost to its campaign
to bring public Wi-Fi to every community in the UK by installing
BT Openzone access points in more than 500 McDonald's restaurants
in the next few months.
The two companies have teamed up to offer millions
of diners who visit McDonald's restaurants the ability to log
on to the internet using wireless broadband, via their Wi-Fi-enabled
laptop or PDA, as they grab a bite to eat.
BT believes that the landmark deal will mean that
thousands more people will be able to easily take advantage of
Wireless Broadband Week, which starts on January 26, when anyone
with a suitable laptop or PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) can
try out wireless broadband without time limit - free of charge.*
The BT Openzone access points will be installed
in McDonald's flagship and drive-thru restaurants by the end of
March, taking the total number of BT Openzone live sites to more
than 2,000.
The majority of the McDonald's sites will be in
drive-thru restaurants, which are popular with business travellers.
BT already has an extensive network of BT Openzone hotspots at
premium locations targeted at the business traveller, such as
airports, railway stations and hotels.
The new McDonald's sites will also provide an opportunity
for a wider base of customers than just the business community
to experience the benefits of wireless broadband. McDonald's is
keen to offer its customers the additional service of quick, convenient
access to the internet, in a welcoming environment.
Steve Andrews, BT's managing director for Products
and Enterprises, said: "This deal with McDonald's again confirms
BT's position as the UK's leading provider of public Wi-Fi. And
the scale of BT's network means that wireless broadband is growing
from a premium offering for the few into something that will become
part of everyone's lives, whether that's for work, or for simply
surfing the web or emailing friends as a pay-as-you-go customer.
We already have a vast network of BT Openzone access points at
key locations for road warriors and these at McDonald's will help
to boost that network. These sites will also help to provide easily
accessible locations where the large number of people who haven't
yet tried Wi-Fi can log on for free and try before they buy during
Wireless Broadband Week this month."
BT Openzone access points will be installed in refurbished
flagship London restaurants in The Strand, Oxford Street and Liverpool
Street station and rolled out in most drive-thrus across the country.
McDonald's wants to offer this exciting new service to customers
who want to eat and stay connected while working on the move.
It is part of their aim to appeal to their diverse range of customers
and provide a relevant and welcoming environment.
Peter Richards, chief development officer, McDonald's,
said: "Today's customer is more time-pressed than ever and
we think it's important to meet the needs of busy professional
and family lifestyles by offering services that are both easy
to use and relevant. We want the Golden Arches to be the first
choice for a great meal and a place to go 'wireless'. McDonald's
is leading the way in bringing this vital technology to millions
of customers who need a convenient place to log on and work remotely
or catch up with their daily schedules and correspondence while
out of their home or office during the day."
McDonald's is committed to the roll out of wireless
broadband in the UK, with the aim of appealing to a diverse range
of customers and providing a relevant and welcoming environment.
The company already has Wi-Fi agreements covering around 400 restaurants
in New York, San Francisco, Chicago and Philadelphia in the United
States.
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