Bouygues Telecom has announced it is to offer customers with Android phones an “automatic and transparent” global WiFi service.

The France-based operator has agreed a deal with vendor Devicescape, which has over eight million free public hotspots.

The service is part of Bouygues’ new B-WiFi application, which the operator says will automatically connect phones to the best available network.

Bouygues CEO Olivier Roussat said the deal meant it could accommodate growing data traffic on our networks “more efficiently”, offer “an enhanced mobile experience” and give customers free mobile data abroad.

French operators have been under increasing pressure since the launch of Free Mobile earlier this year.

 “France has one of the world’s most dynamic telecommunications markets, characterised by extremely rapid growth in high-speed mobile networks, massive take-up of smartphones and high-volume data allotments in most mobile plans,” said Roussat.

John Lillie, VP of EMEA at Devicescape added: “The very nature of the French market pushes operators to be innovative and pioneering in order to attract and retain their customers.

“By providing WiFi access for its customers wherever they are, Bouygues Telecom gains a major competitive advantage.”