LONDON -- Hundreds of local hotspots for wireless broadband could spring up in pubs, shops and small hotels all over Ireland as a result of a new 'off-the-shelf' product announced today by Esat BT. Openzone in a Box is the latest initiative from market leader Esat BT as it aims to accelerate the spread and appeal of Wi-Fi communication.

Openzone is wireless broadband (Wi-Fi) technology that allows people on the move to access the internet and to get a secure and fast connection to corporate networks, without plugging in to phone lines.

Openzone in a Box is a plug-and-play hotspot device that provides small retailers and service providers with the ability to offer their customers high speed Internet access in their premises without having to make a large investment in technology. Retailing at EUR499.95 ex VAT, Openzone in a Box costs a fraction of the usual price for a Wi-Fi hotspot, and should prove attractive to coffee shops, service stations, small hotels, leisure centres and golf clubs that want to tap into the growing desire among people on the move to be able to access the Internet at high speed regardless of their location.

According to Alan Hall (Director of New Business, BT NI), "The introduction of BT Openzone in a Box is a major step forward for wireless broadband in Ireland. The product has proven to be a major success among smaller retailers and services providers in the UK and we expect it will appeal to hundreds of local retailers in Ireland who want to give their customers the chance to benefit from mobile broadband, but need a low-cost solution."

In a separate release:

To further accelerate the rollout of Wi-Fi in Ireland, Esat BT today announced that it will partner with DellTM to offer free trials of BT Openzone to corporate customers when they purchase Wi-Fi enabled Dell LatitudeTM notebooks. BT Openzone from Esat BT is a wireless broadband (Wi-Fi) technology that allows business professionals on the move to access the internet and enables secure and fast connection to corporate networks, without plugging in to phone lines.

To further accelerate the rollout of Wi-Fi in Ireland, Esat BT today announced that it will partner with DellTM to offer free trials of BT Openzone to corporate customers when they purchase Wi-Fi enabled Dell LatitudeTM notebooks. BT Openzone from Esat BT is a wireless broadband (Wi-Fi) technology that allows business professionals on the move to access the internet and enables secure and fast connection to corporate networks, without plugging in to phone lines.

From 1st December, corporate customers (typically companies with 200+ employees) can avail of a one month free trial of BT Openzone when they purchase a Wi-Fi enabled Latitude notebook from Dell, resulting in a saving of EUR120. (Excluding VAT).

Corporate customers who sign up to the one month free trial will also be eligible for a 50% discount on a one-year subscription to the BT Openzones unlimited access package from Esat BT, which normally costs EUR120 per month (excluding VAT).

Customers of all sizes are implementing or evaluating wireless technologies to liberate their workforce, said Greg Tierney, Notebook Product Manager, Dell Ireland. Dell is a leader in wireless computing and working together with BT, we can deliver a simple and affordable wireless solution to customers.

According to Mary Morrissey, BT Openzone Marketing Manager, Esat BT, Esat BT has partnered with Dell to give businesses the agility they need to compete and succeed by providing them with mobility solutions that allow their employees to work as effectively away from the office as they do in it.

Esat BT

Dell Computer Corp.