Bitbuzz moves to per-second billing


3 Oct 2005

Irish provider of public wireless local area networks (WLANs) Bitbuzz is to pioneer the use of per-second billing in the growing world of Wi-Fi, a move the company says will save users money.

“By allowing users to log on and off as often as they want with no loss of credit, we’re offering better value for money than Irish Wi-Fi users have ever had,” said Bitbuzz’ managing director Shane Deasy. “Other Wi-Fi networks force customers to use their time all at once or loose it. Our users tell us that’s a rip-off.”

The new FlexiPass products provide users with bundles of 20, 50 or 100 minutes of Wi-Fi usage that can be used in one-second increments over 30 days.

The 20-minute FlexiPass will retail for €3 including Vat, 50 minutes for €6.75 and the 100-minute version for €12.75.

The company, which has more than 75 hotspots countrywide in prominent hotels, bars, petrol stations and coffee shops, says it will also stick to its traditional pricing policy of one, two and five-day passes that range from €14.95 to as well as monthly passes that range from €19.95 for 750 minutes to €64.95 for unlimited use.

In addition to the new range, Bitbuzz has also lowered prices on its DayPass range of unlimited use products for hotel guests and introduced a two-day pass due to customer demand. The DayPass two-day voucher will retail for €24.95, including Vat.

By John Kennedy