via Gizmodo


We noted on the launch day for the iPhone 3G, that UK customers would now get free Wi-Fi via The Cloud and BT OpenZone, which caused some minor confusion. Today, O2 confirmed that BT OpenZone was being added to the package.

From July 11, more than 3,000 BT OpenZone Wi-Fi hotspots will be added to the free Wi-Fi deal you get with the iPhone. Added to The Cloud's wireless network, that takes the number of free Wi-Fi locations to more than 9,000, which should make many existing, and new, iPhone users grin that little bit wider.

Both the iPhone and iPhone 3G will automatically switch to faster Wi-Fi networks for faster browsing and data sharing when they are in range, according to O2.

BT OpenZone's 3,000 Wi-Fi hotspots include 13 wireless city centres, including Sheffield, Nottingham, Portsmouth, Westminster, Liverpool and Leeds, among others.

"By working with partners like BT OpenZone we can maximise the web experience for iPhone customers," said Ronan Dunne, CEO of O2 in the UK. "Public Wi-Fi hotspots ideally complement our mobile network, providing high speed web browsing and unlimited access to services like the iTunes Wi-Fi store in a wide variety of convenient locations."