NEWS: Surf, text and email with BT To Go internet smartphone

BT is expanding its broadband service beyond the home with the introduction of BT Total Broadband Anywhere, which includes a free, internet-capable smartphone, the BT ToGo.

Broadband Anywhere customers will get the choice of two styles of BT To Go smartphones – the HTC S620 0r S710 – both powered by Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.

For a fee of £23.99 per month, users of BT Anywhere will be able to use the phone for surfing the web, sending and receiving emails, making calls or texting.

When in range of a wi-fi hotspot, the BT To Go phone connects to the internet at broadband speeds. When outside of wi-fi range, there's a 10MB monthly download allowance, and the package includes 50 call minutes and 50 texts on any network.

Other functions on the phone include a built-in camera, a video/music media player and BT's Snap & Send service, which means photos taken with the phone can be transferred to a personal online BT digital vault to be stored or shared with family and friends.

John Petter, managing director, consumer at BT, says: "Communications services are converging, and it's clear that customers want consistent access to the things that matter not only at home, but in the palm of their hands wherever they are."

Households that require more than one BT To Go handset can buy up to five more for £29.99 each and an additional fee of £5/month for each handset.

Technorati Tags: BT Anywhere Broadband , BT To Go, HTC S620, HTC S720, internet smartphone, mobile phone, MP3, wi-fi

Andy Clough

Andy is Global Brand Director of What Hi-Fi? and has been a technology journalist for 30 years. During that time he has covered everything from VHS and Betamax, MiniDisc and DCC to CDi, Laserdisc and 3D TV, and any number of other formats that have come and gone. He loves nothing better than a good old format war. Andy edited several hi-fi and home cinema magazines before relaunching whathifi.com in 2008 and helping turn it into the global success it is today. When not listening to music or watching TV, he spends far too much of his time reading about cars he can't afford to buy.