UK pub operator JD Wetherspoon will offer unlimited free Wi-Fi at all 680 of its pubs in England, Scotland and Wales starting next Monday.

"We are keen to provide our customers with as many different services as possible while they are in our pubs," says company CEO John Hutson. "This new facility will allow customers to enjoy a drink or something to eat in our pubs, while at the same time being able to log on to their e-mail and internet for free."

This is a clear attempt on JD Wetherspoon's part to combat the negative effect of the UK's recent smoking ban, which caused the company's first quarterly decline in sales in more than a year. Hey, I'm a fan of web surfing instead of smoking any day...

More here from Thompson Financial ... more here from The Publican ... and more here from The Scotsman.