BT is allowing its business users to transform their broadband connections into wireless hotspots, potentially creating 170,000 new access points across the UK.

Enterprises signed up to BT's Business Total Broadband packages will soon receive a free firmware update, allowing them to turn their network hubs into an Openzone hotspot. A similar service was made available to residential users late year.

The new wireless networks will be accessible to subscribers of other BT services, including members of the BT FON scheme, where users share their WiFi access to form a large cloud-computer community. The hotspots will remain separate from the main BT Business connection, with a secure and prioritised connection for customer data.

“This is something totally new for UK businesses of any size, from the smallest start-up to larger multi-site businesses and all those in between," said Bill Murphy, managing director of BT Business.

“It is a real differentiator for businesses, offering the potential to deliver a prime business service to their visitors and dramatically increase the number of locations from which they can connect and do business as part of the BT Business Total Broadband community."