BT On Track to Offer 500k London UK WiFi Hotspots for 2012 Olympics

BT has today confirmed that it’s still on-track to offer 500,000 wireless internet access hotspots across London in time for the 2012 Olympic Games, which will be mostly delivered via their FON wifi community of retail broadband ISP subscribers. The telecoms operator claims that 475,000 hotspots are already live in Greater London.

The company has also confirmed that it will be the sole provider of public wifi at the Olympic Park venue itself. BT claims to be installing an “extensive high-density, wi-fi infrastructure” with almost 1,000 access points across nine Olympic venues (e.g. the Olympic Stadium, the Aquatics Centre, Velodrome and all the public areas of the Olympic Park).

Andy Baker, CEO of BT Wi-fi, said:

“BT will bring the internet right to the fingertips of spectators and visitors across London, so getting online during this busy period will be even easier. With the UK’s largest wi-fi network, BT is proud to be giving users the best-possible experience. BT has a proven track record of delivering the large-scale, reliable communications that London will need this summer.”

Boris Johnson, The Mayor of London, said:

“This is fantastic news for the millions of visitors coming to the capital to enjoy this incredible summer of sport but even better news for London’s businesses who will continue to reap the benefits of this boost to the city’s ever expanding digital infrastructure long after the Games are over.”

Sadly the service does cost money (from £6 a month or 18p a minute), although access is free for BT Retails existing broadband customers and included in contracts for millions of Android, iOS and other Smartphone devices through BT agreements with UK and international network providers.