Any Eircom subscriber can sign up for a free username and password on the company's website which will allow them to connect to the internet for free with a laptop or wi-fi enabled mobile phone within up to 50 metres of any Eircom hotspot.

The free offer is open for six months and wireless networks can be found at 241 phone booths, 100 restaurants, six airports, two train stations, more than 400 bars, restaurants and hotels, and a host of other venues around the country.

"We want to remind people that broadband is not just about being at home or in the office, but can be for when you're out and about whenever it suits you, " said a spokesman.

Eircom's public hotspots use the same Netopia routers which were recently criticised for poor security and allowed non-subscribers to 'piggy back' access.

Eircom said it was introducing new security protocols next year.