Wireless operator BT Openzone has cut wireless broadband (Wi-Fi) Hotspot rates by up to 50% as it launched a new price structure today. Over 2,500 extra European Hotspots are also being added, bringing the choice of places to connect to more than 50,000 overseas, and over 100,000 UK and Ireland locations.

BT Openzone has added four new tariffs, which will be available to both new and existing customers and sees pricing slashed to just ½p per minute in some places. The move is a somewhat late but necessary action in responce to growing competition from Mobile Broadband services:


Over the agreed allocation, on BT Openzone Original, Global and Together, use is reduced to 10p per minute anywhere. This makes BT's service much more cost effective than it was before; although it's naturally restricted coverage is still a problem next to wider Mobile Broadband services.

However Wi-Fi continues to be better value for data usage outside of the UK and is also capable of greater speed and reliability in areas of coverage. Not to mention VoIP calls and fewer application restrictions.