Irish motorists desperate for a quick fix of web surfing or emailing while they are on the move should be able to connect to the internet at over 200 Statoil service stations from next year.

Statoil, which has 260 branded service stations across Ireland, has signed a deal with a small telecoms firm BitBuzz, for the installation of new Wi-Fi technology.

Wi-Fi is a technology which enables consumers with a laptop to connect to the internet at very high speeds at specified wireless hotspots for a set fee. Up until now it has been installed in a range of cafés, libraries and bars but has not been available to sales people travelling by car. The Statoil and BitBuzz partnership represents the first big national roll out of Wi-Fi technology across the Republic.

BitBuzz will offer the high speed internet services to motorists who stop at Statoil stations for a set fee of between €3 to €6 for a half hour. It has already set up two pilot sites at Statoil stations in Newlands Cross and Templeogue offering free access, says Mr Stephen McCormack, director of alliances at BitBuzz.

"We think the travelling person on the road who needs to send a few quick emails will use the Wi-Fi service," says Mr McCormack. "There has already been a lot of interest expressed by sales people at companies."

Motorists can use the service by driving into the Statoil Fareplay forecourts and parking in a designated area where the Wi-Fi hotspots are located. Payment for the service will be possible using credit card, laser card, premium rate SMS, or through a monthly BitBuzz subscription.

Mr Michael O'Hara, Statoil's premium club manager, said the Wi-Fi hotspots would build on the firm's Fareplay stores, which consistently offered convenient services to motorists.

BitBuzz's deal with Statoil could enable it to become the biggest provider of Wi-Fi services in the State. Other Wi-Fi providers are Eircom, Esat Bt and O2.