[BBKing]

Broadly my thinking too. I did come up with this idea a couple of years ago and put it to a senior ntl bod, but we both agreed that it would be better to do hotspots in places people wanted to hang around in, like trains, airports, hotels, pubs, cafes etc. The whole point of internet on the move is a bit dubious considering that at present you have to be sitting inside* somewhere fairly comfortable to get your laptop out and surf. That rules out walking about, standing on street corners and things (not to mention surfing while driving, which has obvious drawbacks).

The true gain comes of being able to find a hotspot fairly easily, i.e. when enough pubs/cafes etc. are hotspots that it's just like buying a paper - If I want a copy of the Guardian I can go to any newsagent, if I want wireless internet access I can go to any cafe.

*Why? Screen glare. I've used the laptop in the garden a few times and it's a nightmare if the sun's out.