SkypeZones costs US$7.95 a month for unlimited access or US$2.95 for two hours connection at a Boingo hotspot and allows users to make free calls using so-called VoIP (voice over internet protocol) technology to other Skype users. National and international calls to most landlines and some mobile phones in most countries of the world cost just over 1p a minute using the system.

David Hagan, Boingo’s president and chief executive, said: “Partnering with Skype demonstrates the evolution of public-access Wi-Fi to include VoIP and other value added applications by allowing greater connectivity and productivity on the move.” There are more than 45 million regular Skype users, better known as Skypers, around the world.