By Kim Tong-hyung
Staff Reporter

KT, the country's biggest Internet operator, will provide free wireless Internet connectivity at the country's McDonalds restaurants starting next month, company officials said Monday.

It bears further observation to determine whether fast-food lovers will be able to squeeze their laptops between their burgers and fries, or whether the consumer electronics industry will benefit from a growing number of people spilling their Cokes on their keyboards.

KT is already providing free Internet access at the country's Starbucks coffee shops and the four domestic airports of Incheon, Gimpo, Gimhae and Jeju through joint marketing programs with Google and Emirates Airline.

The telecommunications giant arranged a similar partnership with Hyundai Card, the country's second-largest credit card provider, for the Wi-Fi services provided at the McDonalds outlets.

Under the marketing model, which KT calls ``sponsored access,'' Hyundai Card runs target advertisements to McDonalds customers logging on to KT's Netspot Wi-Fi network through their portable devices.

The free Internet access will be provided at 75 McDonalds restaurants in Seoul and the neighboring metropolitan area starting sometime in mid-December, KT said. The coverage is expected to expand eventually.

However, it remains to be seen whether KT will continue to provide free Internet at the airports, as its marketing deal with Emirates Airline concludes at the end of this month.

``With more and more laptops, mobile phones and other portable devices being designed with Wi-Fi connectivity, we are continuing to find business partners to expand our Netspot coverage,'' a KT spokesman said.

thkim@koreatimes.co.kr