British Telecom (BT) has launched a smartphone application that automatically connects its Total Broadband customers to its network of 1.6 million Wi-Fi hotspots for free.

The new BT FON application, which has been rolled out only for customers of BT Total Broadband, lets owners of iPhones and Android phones to take advantage of their nearest Wi-Fi hot spots.

Owners of iPhones and Android phones can enter their BT internet email username and password to choose to log in whenever they are under BT Wi-Fi coverage. BT Openzone Wi-Fi hotspots make the largest Wi-Fi network in the UK.

As the application will allow BT Total Broadband customers to access unlimited Wi-Fi for free, users will be able to avoid racking up extra roaming charges.

Both of the Apple iPhone and Android phone already offer a non-stop search option for Wi-Fi connections. But, search options often direct users to password protected hot spots and unlocked Wi-Fi providers. Moreover, accessing Wi-Fi hot spots is not always free.

BT also announced that the BBC’s Children in Need Appeal will get 50 pence for each of the first 20,000 downloads of the application. Apple iPhone users can download the free application from the iTunes App Store, while owners of Android device can download the application from the Android Market.