By Super User on Wednesday, 06 December 2006
Category: RI Releases

Maxol Pumps Up Service with BT Openzone Wi-Fi

Esat BT and Maxol today announced that they are teaming up to enhance the service offering of five key Maxol service stations across the country through the provision of wireless broadband facilities. The BT Openzone service will allow road warriors using a wirelessly enabled laptop to drive onto a Maxol forecourt, park in a dedicated bay and log onto their corporate network.

The service will be available at Maxol service stations at Sallins Rd. in Naas, Co. Kildare, Carrigaline in Cork, Dooradoyle in Limerick, Antrim Road in Belfast and Glengormley in Co. Antrim.

Commenting on the announcement, Fergal Harrington, Brand Development Manager, Maxol, said; "As a leader in the service station industry, we are continuously seeking new services that make life easier for our customers. We see Wi-Fi as a differentiating service, which our network can offer in addition to motor fuel and convenience shopping and expect it to draw an increasing number of customers to our stations".

Bill Murphy, CEO, Esat BT and BT NI added; "This is a key win for Esat BT and is testament to our position as a leading Wi-Fi provider across the island of Ireland. With our recently reduced Wi-Fi tariff options and a growing number of successful All-Ireland relationships, we currently have the largest Wi-Fi network across Ireland and the largest subscription base."

The addition of these key Maxol Service Stations extends Esat BT's growing number of BT Openzone locations to over 150 sites across Ireland, including airports, hotels, car show rooms, coffee shops and conference centres. BT Openzone customers in Ireland also have the advantage of being able to access over 7000 sites through the BT Openzone network in the UK, and 20,000 more sites in Europe and the US through BT's roaming partners

Esat BT recently launched BTb-line, a pre-paid communications card that allows customers the choice of multiple communication services including BT Openzone Wi-Fi, International dial-up Internet access, International phonecalls and SMS messaging without the limitation of an expiry date. Priced at €10, the card operates under a 'Pay As You Go' pricing model that can be topped up easily by credit card.

In July Esat BT consolidated its current subscription packages into a single, new €40 monthly subscription tariff that reduces the cost by as much as 70 per cent, meets the needs of the majority of Wi-Fi users and substantially expands the availability of the service.

Current BT Openzone pricing options are:
- 30 Day Voucher costing €60 - ideal for the international business traveller visiting the island of Ireland, and people working away from the office and home for a limited period of time. For example, business executives visiting a series of trade shows, consultants working at customers' premises or regional offices can keep in touch at any time with 4,000 minutes access for just €60.
- Day Voucher reduced to €15 - perfect for those who occasionally work on the move, such as freelance journalists or contractors, and who may need to keep in touch with the office or home on specific days.
- €10 BTb line Voucher - a pre-paid communications card that allows customers the choice of multiple communication services including BT Openzone Wi-Fi, International dial-up Internet access, International phonecalls and SMS messaging without the limitation of an expiry date. The card is available for purchase within hotspots or online at http://www.btopenzone.ie and replaces the current €10 BT Openzone Wi-Fi only voucher.

For more information on BT Openzone sites throughout the island of Ireland and the full range of tariffs, please visit www.btopenzone.ie