O2 Wifi goes the Extra mile for O2 customers

• New O2 Wifi Extra automatically connects O2 customers with no sign-up registration needed
• An extra level of security adds reassurance customers can stay safe online
• O2 Wifi Extra will connect customers to the strongest service available – wifi or mobile

O2 today announces the launch and roll-out of O2 Wifi Extra across its premium partner brands in the UK. The latest evolution of O2’s free wifi service, O2 Wifi Extra gives customers a seamless wifi experience on their smartphone or table whilst staying secure online.

O2 customers (using a compatible device running its latest software) will automatically connect to an O2 Wifi Extra hotspot through authentication of their SIM card. There’s no need for them to register so they’ll be able to get online quickly, easily and seamlessly.

Like O2’s existing wifi service, O2 Wifi Extra offers a fully monitored and secure service running the latest security software. O2 customers will also have the additional reassurance their data is secure as the ‘over the air’ connection between their device and the wifi modem will be encrypted, protecting any information they may send when online.

To help customers save their mobile data allowance, the new service automatically connects customers to O2 Wifi Extra if the wifi signal is stronger than O2’s 3G or 4G network.

Robert Franks, MD of O2’s Digital Commerce business said “We are always looking for ways to help O2 customers stay connected, and delivering O2 Wifi Extra’s capabilities on such a large scale for our customers is a first for a UK public wifi provider.  It’s a great step forward for our customers. They’ll get the best data service available to them as well as being able to stay safe and secure online, wherever they may be.”

“Free O2 Wifi is available in some of the best brands on the high street and venues like stadiums and arenas to provide their customers. We work closely with these partners to help increase engagement opportunities with their customers and create a platform for digital commerce opportunities for their business.”

O2 Wifi launched in 2011 and has established partnerships with leading retailers nationwide including McDonald’s, Debenhams, Costa Coffee, The O2, Bluewater, Manchester City Football Stadium, as well as the Central London boroughs of Westminster and Kensington & Chelsea and Canary Wharf. O2 offers premium hotspots in more than 11,000 locations across the UK. O2 Wifi Extra will roll out across all partner’s premises over the next 8 weeks.

For more information and a list of compatible devices visit http://www.o2wifi.com/my/extra

O2 Press Office contacts

t +44 (0)1753 565656

e: pressoffice@o2.com

About O2

O2 is the commercial brand of Telefónica UK Limited and is a leading digital communications company with the highest customer satisfaction for any mobile provider according to Ofcom. With over 24 million customers, O2 runs 2G, 3G and 4G networks across the UK as well as operating O2 Wifi and owning half of Tesco Mobile. O2 has over 450 retail stores and sponsors The O2, O2 Academy venues and the England Rugby team. Read more about O2 at www.o2.co.uk/news.