Microsoft-owned Skype is reportedly planning to expand its wireless footprint in the UK and Ireland as part of a partnership with wireless broadband provider Wicoms.
According to The Next Web, the initiative called Free Skype WiFi will be offered to high-street retailers, hotels and businesses.
The idea is that by offering a free, dedicated router, businesses will be able to attract more loyalty, footfall and sales from the smartphone-toting public.
All users have to do is log in with their Skype ID to get access.
In the UK, the service will compete with BT and Sky, which already offer thousands of free hotspots, while in Ireland it could compete with paid services like Bitbuzz.
In recent weeks, Dublin Airport teamed up with Eircom to offer free Wi-Fi throughout its terminals. In addition, Lord Mayor of Dublin Mr Naoise Ó Muirí told the Digital Ireland Forum in Dublin that he plans to roll out free public Wi-Fi at 20 locations across the city from mid-October.
Wicoms is offering firms free hardware to set up free Wi-Fi during the month of October.
WiFi user image via Shutterstock
