Optus and wireless internet provider Azure Wireless have signed an agreement that will more than triple the telco’s Australian WiFi network coverage in the coming month.

Through the partnership Optus Wireless Connect customers, who currently have access to 120 WiFi hotspots, will be given access to an additional network of 450 hotspots currently operated by Azure in cafes, hotels and shops across the nation.

“In the past few months Optus has experienced a growth in customers choosing our monthly Optus Wireless LAN Plan,” said Chris Lane, Optus’s director of products and delivery Chris Lane.

“As a result of this deal Optus Wireless Connect customers will have access to one of the largest hotspot networks in Australia, enabling our customers to access close to 600 WiFi hotspots by mid August,” he said in a statement.

Azure’s chief executive David Gold said their consumer customer-base would be increased thanks to the partnership.

“To date we’ve really lacked a large Australian customer base and the deal with Optus gives us access to that. A lot of our users are travelers and corporate customers; there hasn’t been a strong consumer base,” Mr Gold said.

“This deal is another indicator that major Australian telecommunications companies are acknowledging that wireless broadband at hotspots using WiFi technology is now a mainstream communication method,” said David Gold.

Earlier this year Optus said it would resell Personal Broadband Australia’s iBurst solution and Unwired has also said it was talking with Optus about a potential deal.