Nokia to provide free Wi-Fi

Nokia to provide free Wi-Fi

19 October 2007

IN what could be seen as a move to beat Apple to the punch, mobile phone company Nokia is to provide free Wi-Fi in Australia ahead of the launch of its new online store.

The service is currently only available in 10 locations in Sydney and Melbourne, but Nokia, with partner Azure Wireless, plan to roll out hundreds of hotspots across Australia.

The hotspots will allow Nokia Nseries users to connect online and check their email, download music or surf the web.

"What better way to show off the functionality of the Nokia Nseries than to allow consumers to surf the net for free while enjoying a cup of coffee,'' Nokia Asia Pacific director multimedia sales David Watkins said.

"We want consumers to feel comfortable in discovering what their Nseries device can do.''

Nokia announced in August the launch of its Ovi music store sometime towards the end of this year.

The move to provide Wi-Fi hotspots in Australia, is further evidence that the Finish phone maker is set to compete head-to head with Apple in the portable music market.

Last month, Apple announced a partnership with coffee chain Starbucks to provide free Wi-Fi access in the United States and discounts for song downloads from its iTunes store.

The Nokia Nseries Wi-Fi Zones will be free until 31 January next year.

A full list of locations is available at www.nseries.com.au/wifizone.


GC Bulletin