BT serves up Wifi in Starbucks

Starbucks has teamed up with BT to offer customers Wifi access in 650 of its UK and Ireland coffee shops.

The deal will allow 4.6 million BT broadband customers to surf the internet or make online calls at Starbucks.

BT said the first shops will have the service from this week but was unable to say which ones. The service will then be extended to all other shops by the autumn.

All of BT's Total Broadband customers get at least 250 minutes' access to BT's Wifi zones, including BT Openzone hotspots, as part of their home broadband package. O2 iPhone users will also have access included in their contract.

Non-BT broadband customers can access BT's Wifi hotspots by purchasing BT's Wifi hotspot access vouchers. These are available from the BT Openzone website and start from £6 for 90 minutes' access to £40 for 30 days' access.

Chris Bruce, CEO of BT Openzone, said: "We’re constantly looking to boost the choice of places to connect – where people want it. The location of Starbucks stores in the high street and travel hubs is helping to extend the reach of Wifi to customers."

BT also provides Wifi access in 12 city centres, the Hilton, Thistle and Ramada Jarvis hotel chains, British Airways lounges and Welcome Break motorway service stations.