Dublin, Ireland, 16 January, 2008 - free-hotspot.com, the world’s largest provider of free Wi-Fi HotSpots, announced today that their network quadrupled in size during 2007, from 600 to 2400 HotSpots located in 18 countries across Europe.

The free Wi-Fi boom took place in all areas, according to Joe Brunoli, the company’s Vice President of Business Development. "free-hotspot.com has expanded into both geographic and vertical markets," he explained. “We are now one of the largest Wi-Fi providers – paid or free – in Eastern Europe, even while we continue to expand our footprint in the Western European markets." He added: "We are also moving into more and more "non-traditional" markets for Wi-Fi, such as hair salons, auto dealerships, campgrounds and retail outlets."

free-hotspot.com’s UK HotSpot figures rose some 154% in 2007, with 120 new HotSpots installed, reflecting the booming demand for free Wi-Fi in hotels, restaurants and other such locations throughout the country.

A major driver of the company’s growth was the adoption of free-hotspot.com’s Wi-Fi solution by chains of hotels, restaurants and other hospitality venues. "Larger organisations want to work with a market leader who can also add value," Brunoli said. "We can not only deliver pan-European installation, support and maintenance, but also offer highly effective promotional and brand-building opportunities using our EDGE Wi-Fi messaging system," he stated. "This unique value proposition will allow us to work with even more national, pan-European and global brands in the coming year."

Brunoli concluded by saying that the company expects to have over 5000 HotSpots installed by the end of 2008.

About free-hotspot.com:
free-hotspot.com operates the world’s largest free wireless network with 2400 FREE HotSpot locations in 18 countries throughout Europe. To gain access to free-hotspot.com’s free wireless Internet service, users agree to watch an introductory Sponsor advertisement. This innovative system, which has won the prestigious Wireless Broadband Innovation Award for Best Public Wi-Fi Product, is made available under the EDGE Messaging brand name to wireless network operators as well as hospitality chains and other organisations that wish to increase revenue, promote strategic marketing programmes or build brand presence over their own Wi-Fi networks.

free-hotspot.com supports an active user community and provides free wireless Internet service to around 300,000 people each month. The company also operates the industry’s most comprehensive directory of free HotSpots which currently lists more than 20,000 free wireless Internet locations worldwide.

To learn more about the free HotSpot programme or to find the free HotSpot nearest you, please visit: www.free-hotspot.com

Press contacts:

free-hotspot.com
Emma Keenan / Johanna Toiviainen
Open2Europe
Phone: +33 1 55 02 14 59 / 58
e-mail: e.keenan@open2europe.com or j.toiviainen@open2europe.com