Yahoo Japan has jumped into the Wi-Fi hotspot business and begun offering its 6.3 million registered users in Japan access to a nationwide wireless LAN network.The “Yahoo Wireless LAN Spot” service relies on the hotspot network built by sister company Softbank Telecom, which currently offers approximately 3,500 access points throughout the country. Many of the access points are located in cafes, railway stations and hotels.The service is available to users holding a “Yahoo Premium” membership to the portal, which costs 294 yen (US$2.50) per month and brings with it access to a number of members-only services including bidding and selling on the company’s leading auction site. The company has 6.3 million such members, said Masaki Hanyu, a spokesman for Yahoo Japan in Tokyo.Yahoo Premium users signing up now will get free access until June next year, when it will cost an additional 210 yen on top of the premium membership. In June, non-members will also be able to sign up for the service for 525 yen per month, which is slightly more than the combined cost of the membership and members-only price. Yahoo Japan already offers its name to a hotspot service, but that’s available only as an option to customers signing up for Softbank BB’s “Yahoo BB” broadband service. The new service announced on Tuesday doesn’t require subscription to a wired broadband provider.Softbank Telecom is a subsidiary of Softbank, which is a major shareholder in Yahoo Japan. -Martyn Williams, IDG News Service (Tokyo Bureau)Check out our CIO News Alerts and Tech Informer pages for more updated news coverage. Related content opinion The Importance of Identity Management in Security By Charles Pelton Nov 28, 2023 5 mins Cybercrime Artificial Intelligence Data Management brandpost Sponsored by Rocket Software Why data virtualization is critical for business success Data is your most valuable resource—but only if you can access it fast enough to address present challenges. Data virtualization is the key. By Milan Shetti, CEO of Rocket Software Nov 28, 2023 4 mins Digital Transformation brandpost Sponsored by Rocket Software The hybrid approach: Get the best of both mainframe and cloud Cloud computing and modernization often go hand in hand, but that doesn’t mean the mainframe should be left behind. A hybrid approach offers the most value, enabling businesses to get the best of both worlds. By Milan Shetti, CEO Rocket Software Nov 28, 2023 4 mins Digital Transformation brandpost Sponsored by Rimini Street Dear Oracle Cloud…I need my own space Access results from a recent Rimini Street survey about why enterprises are rethinking their Oracle relationship and cloud strategy. By Tanya O'Hara Nov 28, 2023 5 mins Cloud Computing Podcasts Videos Resources Events SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe