Windows Phone 8 Wi-Fi Deal Gives Access to 11m Hotspots

Windows Phone 8 devices will be able to easily locate and access more than 11 million reliable Wi-Fi hotspots worldwide, through a deal signed with Wi-Fi offload company Devicescape.

Devicescape’s Curated Virtual Network (CVN)  will power Windows Phone 8’s Wi-Fi network selection, allowing users to reduce mobile data costs by accessing high quality hotspots.

The technology uses crowd-sourced data from the millions of devices already deployed. This means that the database is constantly expanding, while devices are continuously measuring the quality of existing access points.

Access points in Devicespace’s database include free public networks such as those found in restaurants and airports, but exclude private home networks. Network owners are able to add or exclude their hotspots from the list, and Devcespace constantly monitors the authentication requirements to make it easier to log on for users.

Windows Phone 8 Wi-Fi network

Devicescape’s CVN is also used by Intel, allowing Ultrabooks and other devices that include Intel’s Smart Connect Technology to automatically update content , emails and applications even while in sleep mode.

“By leveraging the Devicescape network of public hotspots, Microsoft can now pass along tremendous value to its Windows Phone 8 users enabling them to locate a nearby quality WiFi network,” said Dave Fraser, CEO of Devicescape. “Windows Phone 8 users will now have an alternative way to manage their monthly data plan while maintaining the quality of service they are accustomed to from their mobile provider.”

“Devicescape has the leading collection of Wi-Fi hotspots,” said Reid Kuhn, Windows Phone Program Manager. “By utilising the Devicescape Wi-Fi hotspot data, Windows Phone 8 users will be able to locate free and popular Wi-Fi hotspots, allowing them to save money wherever they may be.”

Windows Phone 8 smartphones made their debut in the UK last Friday.

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