Skype (News - Alert) will be providing Wi-Fi services in cafes, restaurants, and stores across Great Britain through its Skype app on mobile phones without a charge levied to the user. Currently, Skype has been available in airports and some businesses with a charge to the user.

Skype will join forces with wireless company Wicoms to provide the wireless service for a monthly charge of£9.99 being charged to the business rather than the consumer. Wicoms believes by providing this service it will increase shopping in stores offering the service and combat online shopping.

Being able to access coupons online will help increase the shopping power of consumers. This will also benefit hotels, coffee shops, and other businesses at which people most use their mobile devices. The other potential benefit is to providers of mobile devices, who may see an increase in their sales when people do not have to worry about being tied into expensive data plans in order to fully take advantage of their device’s capabilities.

According to EnGadget, this arrangement will provide more consistent Wi-Fi than that which currently exists, provide users with someone to seek help from, and will simplify sign-in, even if users do not have a pre-existing Skype account. 

According to Skype Access program manager Shadi Mahassel, “Simplicity is at the heart of everything Skype does. We believe that internet access should be available to everyone in a simple and affordable way. Our partnership with Wicoms enhances our ability to make Skype universally accessible and expands on our WiFi (News - Alert) strategy, which today provides paid WiFi access at over one million locations worldwide.”

To encourage businesses to adopt the plan, Skype and Wicoms will be providing their router free of charge for those who decide to utilize them throughout the month of October. This unique opportunity from Skype and Wicoms will benefit both businesses and consumers throughout the United Kingdom, making it easy for users to utilize their mobile devices anywhere and providing businesses with the ability to appeal to more consumers.

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