McDonald's chips in with web access

McDonald's is to offer its customers laptops with broadband access at more than 4,000 branches in Japan.

The plan is part of a deal signed with internet investor Softbank which could turn the fast food giant into an internet cafe.

McDonald's hopes that the deal will help attract more customers, while Softbank needs the broadband business following the economic downturn in telecoms.

Under the deal a wireless local area network (Lan) will link people with a laptop, or a handheld device like a palmtop, allowing them to send and receive data at broadband speeds while they are away from their home or office.

Testing of Softbank's equipment in the food outlets is due to take place this month.

McDonald's is following many Japanese restaurants in the installation of wireless Lans. The systems are popular because they provide a service to customers which is relatively cheap to set up.