BBC has its head in The Cloud

The BBC's deal with The Cloud will offer free access to content at 7,500 UK hotspots

The BBC and Wi-Fi operator The Cloud have announced a non-exclusive venture to offer free access to BBC.co.uk content through any of The Cloud's 7,500 UK hotspots.

Users will be able to access BBC content via an interactive video highlighting a range of information and programming, or via a BBC logo, both of which are located on The Cloud's landing site.

"This is a new environment for the BBC which we believe will be hugely important for our future success," said BBC spokeswoman Ashley Highfield.

"This venture enables us to offer free Wi-Fi access to BBC content on the high street, furthering the BBC's commitment to make its content as widely available as possible to our audiences wherever they are."

The Cloud operates the UK's largest network of hotspots, with locations at McDonald's, Coffee Republic, Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted as well as outdoor coverage at Canary Wharf and the City of London.

"Wi-Fi is emerging as the technology of choice for media and content owners wanting to extend their reach beyond traditional channels," said Owen Geddes, group director of business development at The Cloud.

"The explosion of media-capable devices, coupled with the high bandwidth and low cost that Wi-Fi offers, means that high quality video and audio can be delivered to people wherever they are."

Visitors accessing BBC content via The Cloud network during the initial ph ase will be able to view BBC content on all Wi-Fi compatible devices, but will only be able to download programmes from BBC iPlayer via a laptop.

As well as opening up the iPlayer to Mac and Linux users, the BBC expects that the iPlayer will be available on mobile phones and other smart handheld devices in due course, but could not specify when.