Optus and Azure turn up the heat

Optus has partnered with wireless internet provider Azure, to extend the reach of the telco's network of wireless hotspots.

The agreement gives Optus Wireless Connect customers access to an additional 450 hotspots and hotzones on Azure's nationwide network.

Chris Lane, director of Optus products and delivery, said the Azure partnership was in response to increased demand for the company's monthly Wireless LAN Plan.

"As a result of this deal Optus Wireless Connect customers will have access to one of the largest hotspot networks in Australia, enabling our customers to access close to 600 WiFi hotspots by mid August," he said in a statement

David Gold, CEO at Azure, said that the deal was another indication of major telecommunications companies recognising WiFi hotspots and wireless broadband as a mainstream communication method.

The number of unique users on Azure's network of hotspots had increased by more than 400 percent in the last 12 months Gold said.

Optus said that Wireless Connect customers could use their existing user names and passwords to log on from any Azure hotspot or hotzone around the country, with no additional costs.