BT serves up Wi-Fi at Starbucks

Starbucks has struck a deal with BT in which the telecoms company will serve up Wi-Fi access to its customers.

The deal extends to 650 coffee shops across the UK and Ireland.

Under the deal BT's 4.6 million broadband customers will be able to surf the web, email and make VoIP calls.

The partnership also extends to O2's iPhone customers as well as customers from iPass, Boingo and other BT Openzone roaming partners.

Some Starbucks stores will be fitted with Wi-Fi this week with a full roll-out completed by the end of the summer.

Chris Bruce, chief executive officer of BT Openzone, said: "Use of our Wi-Fi doubled last year and coffee shops are increasingly popular as a third place to work or log on to the internet.

"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 Wi-Fi to customers," Bruce added.