The French are a people who never like to be outdone by the English, so while BT have announced price cuts to it's Wi-Fi openzone service, French operator SFR have announced that it is offering a free service in Paris.
Up to 150,000 mobile workers in the main business area of Paris will soon be able to connect to the free WI-Fi connections.

The network, which is being deployed by SFR using Alcatel kit, will eventually incorporate 30 separate 802.11b hot spots into a single cloud of coverage.
It runs from the Bridge of Neuilly to the Grande Arch, an area known as La Defense. It covers an area of around 1km, giving free wireless access to anyone in the area with the necessary Wi-Fi kit.

We are waiting for the idea to catch on here.......