Windows Phone 8 users to get free access to 11 million Wi-Fi hotspots

Microsoft has organised a deal with Devicescape that will include Windows Phone 8 users being granted free access to over 11 million Wi-Fi hotspots around the world (but mostly in the United States). In order to avoid excessive cellular data usage, the system uses DataSense, a new feature found in Windows Phone 8.

DataSense helps users keep track of cellular data usage and reduce usage through data compression but now it will also help users connect to Devicescape's Wi-Fi hotspots while out and about. While the log-in process is still done manually at this moment, ways of automatically doing it are being developed.

It should be said that the DataSense feature is carrier dependant and as of writing Verizon is the only United States carrier to support it. Hopefully Windows Phone 8 will gather more interest and support from other carriers will support DataSense soon.

KitGuru says: Free access to over 11 million Wi-Fi hotspots; sounds like a pretty good deal to me.

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