No data limits on BT's Wi-Fi hotspots from Monday

Following moves by the mobile networks to remove 'unlimited' data options from their tariffs, BT has announced that it is removing usage caps from its public Wi-Fi hotspots.

The change will allow BT's Total Broadband customers and most UK iPhone users unlimited Wi-Fi access via BT's Fon and Openzone hotspots around the country - totalling approximately 1.5 million locations and counting.

Commenting on the change, which took effect on Monday, BT Retail's consumer managing director John Petter said: "Because of the growing number of customers with mobile devices such as tablet computers and smartphones, we know that mobile access to the internet is needed more than ever before. Now that operators like O2 are rationing 3G, BT Total Broadband customers can find fast Wi-Fi connections all over the UK's towns and cities with unlimited internet access." 

In light of the changes to the way mobile networks allow users to consume data, it's a smart move for BT. The company plans to have over 2.5 million hotspots nationwide by the end of next year - including city centre outdoor hotspots -  meaning that it will have an unrivalled advantage for consumers wanting to get online on the move without worrying about data limits.

And it makes sense in terms of the network, too. Experts had predicted that mobile operator 3 might differentiate itself from its rivals by continuing to offer unlimited data, even after O2 withdrew its unlimited tariffs. However, 3 has followed the lead of the other operators, no doubt realising that unlimited data usage on 3G networks is asking for trouble. Public Wi-Fi hotspots, on the other hand, generally provide superior backhaul bandwidth per user, meaning that they place significantly less strain on the network.

There is a fair usage policy in place on the hotspots, but at 10,000 minutes per month its not a limit that many users will have to worry about; since 10,000 minutes is approximately 6.9 days.