Free WiFi signal gets a big boost in the UK

According to a press release pre-dated for this Saturday (presumably not under embargo though?), McDonalds burger joints in conjunction with 'the cloud' will soon offer free Wifi hotspots for fast food junkies all over the UK.

This comes on the back of an announcement that Wifi enabled devices such as apple's new iPod 'Touch' are becoming very popular indeed.

Many people have now bought, by accident or design, devices that can access WiFi networks to access online information and emails and the rise in popularity is starting to force more providers to offer a free service. Announcements like this will start to break the subscription or pre-pay mould, something which is long overdue in this country and might actually see users switch the Wifi capabilities of their mobiles or PDA's on!

Talking of mobiles, Apple's much sought after mobile phone may lack the HSDPA or 3G, broadband support, but it will apparently allow free access to 'the cloud' and not just in McDonalds either. So bloggers, techno-geeks or even just the curious will soon be able to enjoy the internet on the go, without paying the exorbitant prices that cripple everyday usage in the same way that telephone charges used to, before the introduction of flat-rate and broadband services.

I look forward to seeing more of this kind of thing on the menu in the future.