Start-up Wi-Fi network operator Bitbuzz has signed Ireland’s first international roaming deal with Trustive, one of Europe’s largest hotspot aggregators. The agreement will connect Irish Wi-Fi users to the Trustive network of over 2,400 hotspots worldwide.
Bitbuzz currently operates over 20 Wi-Fi hotspots in the Irish market, with a planned rollout of over 200 in the next two to three years.
Recent additions to the Bitbuzz network include the Powerscourt Townhouse Centre, Cocoon, Brown’s Barn, Renard’s Cafe Bar, Cafe en Seine and the Hibernian Hotel.
A recent survey demonstrated that over 80pc of Bitbuzz’s network is used for business purposes and with this in mind the company is finalising its own direct monthly subscription model for Irish business users that will be available within two months. The company has also added an SMS payments system to facilitate users paying for Wi-Fi access using their mobile phone.
Alex French, finance and operations director of Bitbuzz, commented: “Our roaming agreement with Trustive is a key milestone in the company’s strategy to associate only with market leaders who share the same standards and which bring us greater market reach and visibility.”
European hotspot aggregator Trustive’s business model is reportedly setting a new standard in the pricing of wireless internet access and the company is the first virtual wireless ISP to offer its service to end users at a fixed rate, no matter where in the world it is used. The company now covers Ireland, Lithuania, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Italy, Singapore, Brazil, Canada, the US, Latvia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Indonesia. Headquartered in Amsterdam, Trustive is one of the largest virtual wireless ISPs in Europe and one of the fastest growing in the world.
The managing director of Trustive, Gavin Dresselhuis, said: “Our core business is actively marketing and selling wireless internet subscriptions through our sales force. Taking Trustive directly to the end user gives us significant advantage over the competition.”
By John Kennedy
