Bezeq Israeli Telecommunication Co. Ltd. (TASE: BEZQ) today announced that more than 10,000 subscribers have joined its public Wi-Fi service, Bezeq Free WiFi, in the ten days since its launch. The service is Israel's first public wireless Internet service.
Bezeq says that 16% of the people who have joined Bezeq Free WiFi are in Tel Aviv, 14% are in Jerusalem, 9% are in Rishon LeZion, and 7% are in Petah Tikva.
"The nationwide deployment shows that Israeli customers are contributing to the venture, which asks for little but gives a lot," said Bezeq in a press release. "This is seen in the diversity of places across the country, including Haifa, Ashdod, Beersheva, Holon, Netanya, Rehovot, Kfar Saba, Ashkelon, Bat Yam, Eilat, Modi'in, and Carmiel, where participation in the venture has been strong and rapid."
Bezeq added that 25,000 people have visited the Bezeq Free WiFi page on the company's website, that 20,000 people have watched the explanatory video narrated by Gidi Gov, and that 14,000 people have downloaded the app for Android devices. An app for Apple devices will be available within a few weeks.
Bezeq Free WiFi offers the carrier's subscribers free unlimited Internet access from their smartphone, tablets, and laptops outside the home. The company chose a social sharing model for the service using Wi-Fi routes in subscribers' homes. Each subscriber will share, in a secure way, a small part of his or her Internet plan in exchange for free nationwide Wi-Fi access. The service effectively turns every home into a hotspot.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on August 7, 2012
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