O2 launches pocket-sized Wi-Fi hotspot

Pocket Hotspot allows up to five mobile devices to access the internet simultaneously

O2 has launched a portable Wi-Fi device which enables five mobile phones, tablets, games consoles or cameras to share mobile internet access from one unit.

The Pocket Hotspot costs £59.99 up-front and is available to customers with two pre-pay options, a daily top-up priced at £2.04 and a 30 day-term 1GB or 2GB bundle (including the cost of the device), costing £70.20 or £75.31 respectively.

O2 general manager of consumer Gary Booker said: “We saw a big gap in the market for a mobile Wi-Fi package that offered lower start-up costs and competitive data.

“Customers have told us that they want access to the web on the go, but that they don’t always want to sign up for year-long contracts or to buy lots of data from the outset. Pocket Hotspot has been designed to cater for exactly those needs: lowering up-front costs and offering customers lots of options when it comes to the amount of data they buy – what they need, when they need it.

“Because you can connect up to five devices at once, we also think that this product will appeal to students who want a fast connection but don’t have a telephone line for home broadband or even those who want internet access out of the range of their home router – in the garden for example.”