The vouchers allow travelers to download data and make voice calls quicker and cheaper at participating hotspots that data roaming services offered by 3G networks. By paying a fixed voucher price, travelers can predict their communications spend when abroad and avoid hidden roaming charges.

This announcement was made after BT entered into a new deal with high-speed internet provider iBahn to add 1,200 hotels to the existing 9,600 hotels worldwide where BT Openzone customers can access Wi-Fi. The iBahn network will go live in November 2007.

There are two versions of the vouchers, which are the European and the American version. The European version, BT Openzone 500 Europe, covers France, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Denmark. The American version, BT Openzone Americas 500, covers the US, Canada, Brazil, and Argentina. These vouchers can also be used throughout the UK and Ireland.

The vouchers give travelers 500 minutes of Wi-Fi within seven days of first log-in, for GBP28 in the US. For Europe, the vouchers will cost GBP40 and provide 500 minutes of Wi-Fi within 14 days of first log-in.

Chris Bruce, general manager at BT Openzone said: For too long, travelers have had no choice but to be forced onto high roaming charges when making calls outside the UK. Even customers who pick up their phone whilst abroad face huge hidden charges for receiving incoming calls.

With the growing availability of Wi-Fi enabled mobile phones and laptops, travelers are increasingly able to choose the most cost effective network. Devices like the BT Fusion phone enable users to switch to the most appropriate network such as GSM or Wi-Fi. With more people making cheap or free calls over the internet, voucher customers have an advantage with BT’s free to download product, Softphone.

BT has launched various products and services to enhance its Wi-Fi services over the past couple of years. In February 2006, BT repackaged its Fusion phone for small businesses, which works like a mobile when used out of the office, while calls made from the office are routed over a BT broadband connection. BT fusion phone was launched in 2005. In December 2006, BT launched BT Fusion Wi-Fi for SMBs, which allows users to connect to BT Openzone for cheap calls over Wi-Fi and fast internet connectivity. BT also offered a free upgrade to the Wi-Fi version of Fusion to existing Fusion users.

In June 2007, BT appointed Ogilvy Group UK to its below-the-line and digital account for its Openzone wireless internet access service. The first campaign for Openzone by Ogilvy was launched in June 2007, using the tagline, ‘Open the Door’, focusing on consumers to increase Openzone’s popularity.

To strengthen its Wi-Fi network, BT and FON launched the ‘BT FON’, a Wi-Fi community, in October 2007. BT FON enables users to share their broadband and it enables new members to become a part of the existing community of 500,000 members with access to more than 190,000 FON hotspots worldwide.

Other telecommunication operators are also promoting their services such as the Irish telecommunications operator, Eircom Group. Eircom, as part of promotional activity, announced in October 2007 that its broadband customers will be able to access internet for free from its 1,100 WiFi hotspots in the country for six months till 22nd April of 2008.

Source: ComputerWire daily updates