BT has launched a free BT FON mobile app that will automatically connect customers to its network of 1.6m wi-fi hotspots. To celebrate the launch, BT is giving 50p to BBC Children in Need for each free BT FON app downloaded, until it reached a target of £10,000.

Users with an iPhone or Android handset can download the application today the iTunes App Store and Android Market. The application gives BT Total Broadband customers easy mobile access to free and unlimited wi-fi, and includes a mapping service which is updated weekly so that customers can find their nearest hotspot.

Once BT customers have downloaded the app, they just need to input their btinternet email username and password, and can then choose to be automatically logged in whenever they are in a BT wi-fi area. Access access is unlimited and free for BT Total Broadband customers.

“Millions of BT Total Broadband customers already get free access to the UK’s biggest wi-fi network,” says John Petter, managing director for BT Retail Consumer. “This free app makes accessing wi-f so simple you don’t even have to think about it. This represents real value to our customers at a time when more and more people are using their mobile phone to access the internet. By downloading it now, customers can also help BBC Children in Need.”

There’s more information here.