WHSmith UK Launch FREE In-Store Wi-Fi Wireless Internet for Shoppers

The Cloud (BSkyB) has this week signed a new deal that will see high street retailer WHSmith rolling out a free wireless internet (wifi) service to 603 of its stores across the United Kingdom.

The roll out itself has already begun and should complete within the next few months. An estimated 4 million people every day pass through The Cloud’s network of 11,000 WiFi Hotspots around the country and the new deal with WHSmith will surely add to that.

Ian Sanders, WHSmith’s Business Development Director, said:

“We are always looking for ways to enhance our customers’ shopping experience. The internet allows us to provide a lot of extra information that was previously unavailable in-store, for example in-depth book reviews, product lists or search functions.

It’s about bringing the high street and online together in a way that works for our customers – free WiFi access does this. Our customers can use our services specifically or they can browse the wider internet. Ultimately they get an enhanced shopping experience and that benefits everyone.”

The Cloud claims to have over 5 million registered users connecting for over 100 million minutes a week at its live locations such as the Emirates Stadium, Silverstone Race Track, the City of London, Wetherspoons, PizzaExpress, Caffe Nero, Network Rail stations and many more.

Sky Broadband’s 4 million fixed line broadband ISP customers also benefit from free and unlimited access to their hotspots.