Common questions about BT Openzone
If your question isn't answered here, please call BT Openzone on Freefone 0800 022 33 22* (UK time weekdays, excluding UK bank and public holidays; technical assistance 24/7) or +44 132 556 0841 from outside the UK**
General questions about BT Openzone
- What is Wi-Fi and wireless broadband?
- What is BT Openzone?
- Why BT Openzone?
- What is BT Total Broadband?
Using BT Openzone wireless broadband
- What do I need to use BT Openzone?
- How do I log in and log out?
- How do I change my username/password?
- Is there a bandwidth guarantee with BT Openzone?
- Can I send and receive emails using BT Openzone?
- Is there a download limit?
- Will I be able to send and receive large files when using BT Openzone?
- Do wireless local area networks (WLANs) present a threat to health?
- Can I use my laptop with BT Openzone to make voice calls?
- Where can I find out more about my BT Openzone minutes?
- Why choose BT Openzone (Wi-Fi) over GPRS and 3G?
- Where can I use BT Openzone in the UK and the Republic of Ireland?
- What is BT Openzone outdoor coverage?
- Where can I use BT Openzone outside the UK?
- How do I find a BT Openzone Wi-Fi hotspot?
- How can I tell when I'm in a BT Openzone Wi-Fi hotspot?
- How do I connect to my company network?
Buying wireless internet access
- I want to use Wi-Fi more than two hours a month. What's the best plan for me?
- Who can I contact to help me choose a Wi-Fi plan?
- How do I pay?
- Can I top up my account?
- What is BT click&buy?
- Where can I buy Wi-Fi vouchers?
- Where can I use the BT Openzone International Voucher?
- How do I change my pricing plan?
- Are there any corporate deals?
New subscriptions: advice for customers who signed up before 15th October 2008
- I signed up just recently and believe one of the new subscriptions is better for me. Can I switch?
- I've been on one of the old subscriptions for more than 12 months and like the look of your new subscriptions. Can I switch?
- If I switch, can I keep my current username and password?
- I've been on one of the old subscriptions and am quite happy with what I've got. Will I be forced to switch?
- If I remain on my current subscription, can I take advantage of the new per minute roaming rates?
- You've changed the pricing information on your web site. Where do I find the per minute roaming rate for different countries?
Roaming
- Roaming on The Cloud Wi-Fi network
- What does the change mean for me?
- Where can I find alternative hotspots?
- Can I still use other roaming partner hotspots?
* Calls to this number are free from BT landlines and BT payphones. However, they are not free to call from mobile phones - the cost will vary between service providers.
** International number is charged at your telephone provider’s international call rates.
General questions about BT Openzone
What is Wi-Fi and wireless broadband?
Wi-Fi is 'wireless fidelity' or 'wireless network'. It's a great way to connect your wireless device to the internet without using wires (e.g. in wireless-enabled locations you don't need a phone line to surf the internet).
'Wireless broadband' gives you Wi-Fi connectivity to the internet at broadband speed - faster than standard dial-up or 3G access.
What is BT Openzone?
BT Openzone is a wireless broadband (Wi-Fi) service that you can access in public places (hotspots) such as airports, hotels, motorway service stations and city centres. Get online at BT Openzone hotspots throughout the UK and the Republic of Ireland, and at selected locations outside the UK.
Why BT Openzone?
BT Openzone gives you easy-to-use broadband internet access* in convenient locations such as cafés, hotels, stations and airports. You can access your email, the web and your company network quickly and cost-effectively, especially if you need to transfer large data files such as music or video downloads, and data-heavy or image-rich documents.
* BT Openzone availability is subject to coverage. Wireless-enabled equipment required. BT Openzone account or voucher is needed. Conditions apply.
Work
Use BT Openzone when you're working on the move to:
- communicate quickly, easily and cost-effectively*
- email, instant message and surf the web
- securely access your company network or intranet
- manage your time and be more productive
- keep in touch with your clients and your office
- have meetings out of the office
* No download limit: usage based on time, not data transfer.
BT Openzone puts you in control of your working day and is an efficient and reliable way to maintain contact with your customers and colleagues when you're away from the office. There are thousands of public hotspots where you can log in to BT Openzone.
Or play
Use BT Openzone on the move to:
- communicate quickly, easily and cost-effectively*
- email and chat
- surf the web
- play online games
- listen to online audio
- watch online video
* No download limit: usage based on time, not data transfer.
BT Openzone is a great, flexible way to keep in touch with friends and family when you're away from home. There are thousands of public hotspots where you can log in to BT Openzone.
What is BT Total Broadband?
BT Total Broadband is the UK's most complete high-speed broadband internet service, with up to 8Mb download speeds and the wireless BT Home Hub.
Find out more about BT Total Broadband
Using BT Openzone wireless broadband
What do I need to use BT Openzone?
You need a wireless-enabled laptop running Windows 98 or above, Mac OS 9.0 or above, or Linux 2.2 or above - or a personal digital assistant (PDA) running Microsoft Pocket PC 2002 or above, or Palm OS 4.0 or above.
If your laptop isn't wireless-enabled, you need a IEEE 802.11g wireless or LAN access or PCMCIA card, or built-in Intel® Centrino® Duo. You can buy a wireless online at www.shop.bt.com or your local computer store.
If you're ready, you'll now need to buy Wi-Fi access
How do I log in and log out?
When you're in a BT Openzone hotspot or outdoor coverage area with your wireless-enabled device:
- Insert a Wi-Fi card or switch on wireless capability
- Select BT Openzone from the Wi-Fi signal icon in your system tray and connect
- Open your web browser and a BT log-in page will appear
- Select BT Openzone (if not already selected) and log in by inserting your username and password
- Once connected, minimise browser
- If using it, launch your VPN (Virtual Private Network) now and log in
- You should now have internet access
- When you've finished: quit your VPN and then log out of BT Openzone before closing your browser
Important: if you're using Windows XP (SP2) and view wireless connection status, you'll see BT Openzone described as an 'Unsecured wireless network' or similar. Windows XP (SP2) describes most public access wireless networks in this way. Please ignore this. BT Openzone uses sophisticated 128-bit public key encryption during log-in to protect transfer of your data. Account traffic is encrypted and your account is password protected.
Need technical help?
If you've a connection problem, or your account 'locks', call Freefone 0800 022 33 22* (+44 132 556 0841 from outside the UK**) at any time.
If you don't log out correctly, your account will stay open and incur connection charges for a further 15 minutes before shutting down due to inactivity.
* Calls to this number are free from BT landlines and BT payphones. However, they are not free to call from mobile phones - the cost will vary between service providers.
** International number is charged at your telephone provider's international call rates.
How do I change my username/password?
Your username is pre-allocated and cannot be changed. Please keep your username and password secret. You can change your password when you first log in to use BT Openzone. If you forget either, please call BT Openzone on Freefone 0800 022 33 22* (+44 132 556 0841 from outside the UK**)
* Calls to this number are free from BT landlines and BT payphones. However, they are not free to call from mobile phones - the cost will vary between service providers.
** International number is charged at your telephone provider's international call rates.
Is there a bandwidth guarantee with BT Openzone?
There is no bandwidth guarantee with BT Openzone. However, as long as you're in - or within - range of a hotspot you should be able to connect at broadband speed. Please note that in busy hotspots, bandwidth may be affected.
Can I send and receive emails using BT Openzone?
BT Openzone provides fast wireless access to the internet and to send email you need to connect with your Internet Service Provider's (ISP) outgoing mail server. However, some ISPs don't allow users to connect directly to their outgoing mail servers from the internet because of security and spamming (junk email) concerns. It's therefore possible that you may have difficulty sending mail this way.
However, you can easily send mail via the BT Openzone outgoing SMTP mail server. To do this, you'll need to change your email program's (such as Outlook or Outlook Express) outgoing mail server setting to smtp.btopenzone.com.
Is there a download limit?
No. Wireless broadband is perfect for uploading or downloading large files at high speed. Usage is based on time rather than data transfer amount.
Will I be able to send and receive large files when using BT Openzone?
You may be able to send large emails but please remember that a recipient's email account may limit the amount of data accepted. We suggest that you limit emails and attachments to 10MB.
Do wireless local area networks (WLANs) present a threat to health?
International authorities have examined the large volume of research on radio frequencies, such as those emitted by WLANs. They have concluded that radio frequencies do not pose a health risk as long as radio frequency emissions fall below certain levels. The International Committee on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP), a body of independent scientific experts that monitors and analyses all research into this area, has issued guidelines on what these safety levels should be. Their guidelines, which include a large safety margin as a precautionary measure, have been adopted by the UK government, the wireless LAN industry and BT, and are recognised as the standard for safety by the World Health Organisation.
There is no credible evidence that the extremely low exposure levels from WLANs pose a threat to human health. Recently the World Health Organisation have issued a fact sheet regarding base stations and wireless networks, the conclusions of the fact sheet were: "Considering the very low exposure levels and research results collected to date, there is no convincing scientific evidence that the weak RF signals from base stations and wireless networks cause adverse health effects."
Can I use my laptop with BT Openzone to make voice calls?
Voice over IP (VoIP) products such as BT's Softphone can be used when you're at a BT Openzone hotspot, right after you've logged in.
Where can I find out more about my BT Openzone minutes?
To find out more about your minutes, choose your type of broadband account:
Why choose BT Openzone (Wi-Fi) over GPRS and 3G?
With BT Openzone you get more done in less time - and there are no download limits.
Wi-Fi is efficient and fast, especially if you need to transfer large data files such as music or video downloads, and data-heavy or image-rich documents.
Where can I use BT Openzone in the UK and the Republic of Ireland?
In addition to thousands of BT Openzone hotspots throughout the UK and the Republic of Ireland, you can also access the internet using our network partners.
Find your nearest convenient hotspot
What is BT Openzone outdoor coverage?
BT Openzone provides extensive outdoor wireless broadband access in some UK city centres. The proximity of local buildings and features may sometimes block the signal, and other Wi-Fi services in the area may reduce effective range. As a result, the outdoor coverage areas we show on our maps are purely for illustration and do not represent any guarantee of BT Openzone service being present.
Where can I use BT Openzone outside the UK?
With BT Openzone Per Minute, a BT Openzone subscription or a BT Openzone International Voucher you can enjoy high-speed internet access via more than 50,000 hotspots worldwide.
Check your destination's BT Openzone partner network and charges
How do I find a BT Openzone Wi-Fi hotspot?
Find a Wi-Fi hotspot shows you a number of ways to locate your nearest BT Openzone Wi-Fi hotspot, whether you're online, offline or on the move.
How can I tell when I'm in a BT Openzone Wi-Fi hotspot?
BT Openzone wireless coverage can be found wherever you see a BT Openzone sign. If you've a device with wireless network (WLAN) connectivity and a username and password, you'll be able to access BT Openzone once you've opened your web browser.
How do I connect to my company network?
Once connected to BT Openzone in a Wi-Fi hotspot: minimise your browser, launch your VPN (Virtual Private Network) and log in.
When you've finished: quit your VPN and then log out of BT Openzone before closing your browser. If you don't log out correctly, your account will stay open and incur connection charges for a further 15 minutes before shutting down due to inactivity.
Need technical help?
If your account 'locks', call us on Freefone 0800 022 33 22* (+44 132 556 0841 from outside the UK**) at any time.
* Calls to this number are free from BT landlines and BT payphones. However, they are not free to call from mobile phones - the cost will vary between service providers.
** International number is charged at your telephone provider's international call rates.
Buying wireless internet access
I want to use Wi-Fi more than two hours a month. What's the best plan for me?
You get better value for your money by signing up for a BT Openzone Subscription
Who can I contact to help me choose a Wi-Fi pricing plan?
The BT Openzone team can help you choose. Please contact us by:
- calling Freefone 0800 169 1397 (8.00am-6.00pm UK time weekdays, excluding UK bank and public holidays) or +44 1793 590 221 from outside the UK*
* International number is charged at your telephone provider's international call rates.
How do I pay?
You pay for:
- BT Openzone vouchers when you order them, using a credit or debit card
- BT Openzone per Minute in arrears, using a credit or debit card
- BT Openzone Choice when you top up, using a credit or debit card or BT click&buy
- BT Openzone Subscriptions in arrears, using a credit or debit card, or American Express
Can I top up my account?
Yes, you can top-up with a BT Openzone Choice account using a credit card, debit card or BT click&buy. Please note: BT Openzone Choice is only available to UK and Republic of Ireland credit or debit card holders.
What is BT click&buy?
BT click&buy is a highly secure service from BT that provides you with an account to make purchases across a range of BT click&buy partner web sites. You can use BT click&buy to top up BT Openzone Choice, and later settle the BT click&buy account by direct debit, debit or credit card, or your BT phone bill.
UK, Republic of Ireland and international customers can set up a BT click&buy account (subject to BT click&buy Terms and Conditions and card acceptance).
Where can I buy Wi-Fi vouchers?
You can buy paper vouchers from selected BT Openzone hotspots, and BT Openzone eVouchers can be purchased online with a credit or debit card.
Where can I use the BT Openzone International Voucher?
You can use the voucher to access the BT Openzone network in the UK, Republic of Ireland and selected BA lounges worldwide, as well as any of these partner networks:
| Country | Roaming partner |
|---|---|
| Australia | Telstra |
| Argentina | VEX |
| Austria | iBAHN, Swisscom, T-Mobile Austria |
| Belgium | iBAHN, Orange France, Swisscom, Telenet, TeliaSonera HomeRun |
| Brazil | VEX |
| Canada | iBAHN, Montreal-Pierre Trudeau International Airport only via Opti-Fi Networks |
| Chile | VEX |
| Croatia | Swisscom |
| Czech Republic | T-Mobile Czech Republic |
| Denmark | iBAHN, Copenhagen Airport only via CPH Wireless Internet, TeliaSonera HomeRun |
| Finland | TeliaSonera HomeRun |
| France | Hub, iBAHN, Meteor, Orange France, SFR, Swisscom, TeliaSonera HomeRun |
| Germany | iBAHN, M3 Connect, Swisscom, T-Mobile Germany |
| Hungary | iBAHN, Swisscom |
| India | Tata Indicom |
| Italy | Swisscom |
| Japan | NTT |
| Luxembourg | iBAHN, Swisscom, Telenet |
| Malaysia | Maxis, Starhub |
| Netherlands | iBAHN, KPN Hotspots, Swisscom, T-Mobile Netherlands |
| Paraguay | TeliaSonera HomeRun |
| Poland | iBAHN, Swisscom |
| Portugal | iBAHN, Portugal Telecom, Swisscom, VEX |
| Republic of Ireland | BT Openzone, iBAHN, Swisscom |
| Romania | Swisscom |
| Russia | iBAHN |
| South Africa | Internet Solutions |
| Spain | iBAHN, Kubi Wireless, Portugal Telecom, Swisscom, Telefonica |
| Sweden | TeliaSonera HomeRun |
| Switzerland | iBAHN, Swisscom, Swisscom Mobile |
| Thailand | TeliaSonera HomeRun |
| Turkey | Swisscom |
| UK | iBAHN, KeZone, Orange France, Swisscom, T-Mobile UK |
| USA | iBAHN, Opt-Fi Networks, T-Mobile USA, TeliaSonera HomeRun |
Buy an international voucher now
How do I change my pricing plan?
Contact the BT Openzone team on Freefone 0800 022 33 22* (+44 132 556 0841 from outside the UK**) between 9.00am and 5.00pm (UK time weekdays, excluding UK bank and public holidays) and select option 2 for billing queries.
* Calls to this number are free from BT landlines and BT payphones. However, they are not free to call from mobile phones - the cost will vary between service providers.
** International number is charged at your telephone provider's international call rates.
Are there any corporate deals?
We're pleased to consider corporate deals. If you're interested in a special package for over 20 users please email us or call Freefone 0800 169 1397 (8.00am-6.00pm UK time weekdays, excluding UK bank and public holidays) or +44 1793 590 221 from outside the UK (calls charged at your telephone service provider's international call rates.).
New subscriptions: advice for customers who signed up before 15th October 2008
I signed up just recently and believe one of the new subscriptions is better for me. Can I switch?
Yes, but be aware of the new 12-or 18-month minimum period attached to these pricing plans. We'd be happy to talk you through the options. Please call our Sales Desk on Freefone 0800 169 1397*.
I've been on one of the old subscriptions for more than 12 months and like the look of your new subscriptions. Can I switch?
Yes, but be aware of the new 12-or 18-month minimum period attached to these pricing plans. We'd be happy to talk you through the options. Please call our Sales Desk on Freefone 0800 169 1397*.
If I switch, can I keep my current username and password?
Yes, you can.
I've been on one of the old subscriptions and am quite happy with what I've got. Will I be forced to switch?
No, you can remain on your current subscription for now. However, in time you'll be prompted to consider one of the new subscriptions which, as your needs change, may prove to be more suitable.
If I remain on my current subscription, can I take advantage of the new per minute roaming rates?
No, these are for customers choosing the new subscriptions. We'd be happy to talk you through the options. Please call our Sales Desk on Freefone 0800 169 1397*.
You've changed the pricing information on your web site. Where do I find the per minute roaming rate for different countries?
We've moved this so as not to confuse customers choosing our new subscriptions, but you can still find the roaming rates here.
* Calls to this number are free from BT landlines and BT payphones; mobile charges will vary between telephone service providers. Our advisors are available 8.00am-6.00pm (UK time) weekdays, excluding UK Bank and Public Holidays. To contact us from outside the UK, phone +44 1793 590 221. These calls are charged at your telephone service provider's international rate.
Roaming
Roaming on The Cloud Wi-Fi network
From 2nd October 2008, you’ll no longer be able to use your BT Openzone voucher or account on The Cloud Wi-Fi network. However, there are still thousands of convenient BT Openzone and roaming partner hotspots to choose from.
What does the change mean for me?
From 2nd October 2008, the following users will be unable to use their Wi-Fi minutes over The Cloud network:
- BT Openzone subscribers
- BT Openzone voucher holders
- BT Datazone customers on pricing plans with inclusive Wi-Fi minutes
- BT Consumer Total Broadband customers who received inclusive BT Openzone minutes in the form of a voucher prior to the launch of BT FON
- BT Business Total Broadband customers who received free BT Openzone minutes in the form of a voucher
- BT Office Anywhere customers on pricing plans with inclusive Wi-Fi minutes
- BT Fusion customers will no longer be able to use their devices to automatically connect
to Wi-Fi - Users of the MobileXpress client
Where can I find alternative hotspots?
Customers can continue to get excellent Wi-Fi coverage through more than 3,000 premier BT Openzone hotspots (including Wi-Fi coverage in 12 wireless UK city centres) and can access more than 50,000 Wi-Fi hotpots worldwide through our agreements with roaming partners. What’s more, customers can also take advantage of Wi-Fi coverage provided by the BT FON Community, now with more than 121,000 members.
The number of BT Openzone hotspots which customers can use is constantly growing. Recent new sites include 330 Caffè Nero stores, BA Lounges, the Shepherd Neame pub chain and Brend Hotels in the past few months.
Go to our hotspot directory to find a BT Openzone or roaming partner hotspot in your preferred area.
Can I still use other roaming partner hotspots?
There are no changes to our roaming agreements with other UK and international Wi-Fi network operators.
