AT&T to Provide Wifi Access at Starbucks, iPhone Access Coming Soon?
Starbucks announced that they are partnering with AT&T to supply Wifi access to Starbuck's 7000 stores nationwide. Starbucks had previously partnered with T-Mobile to provide pay-Wifi access in their stores. AT&T's new service offers free access to specific customers:
Of interest, AT&T states that it "will soon extend the benefits of Wi-Fi at Starbucks to its wireless customers", suggesting that iPhone users will also get Wifi access in the future. AT&T currently provides exclusive wireless service for the Apple iPhone.
Beginning this spring, Starbucks Card holders can enjoy up to two hours of free Wi-Fi service per day at Starbucks locations offering Wi-Fi access, while more than 12 million qualifying AT&T broadband and AT&T U-verseSM Internet customers will have unlimited free access to the Wi-Fi service. In addition, more than 5 million of AT&T's remote access services business customers will be able to access Wi-Fi service at Starbucks locations. AT&T will soon extend the benefits of Wi-Fi at Starbucks to its wireless customers.
Outside of these situations, AT&T's Wifi service costs $3.99 for a two-hour session, or $19.99 for monthly access. Existing T-Mobile HotSpot customers should be unaffected. T-Mobile customers will continue to get free Wifi access at Starbucks due to an agreement between AT&T and T-Mobile.Of interest, AT&T states that it "will soon extend the benefits of Wi-Fi at Starbucks to its wireless customers", suggesting that iPhone users will also get Wifi access in the future. AT&T currently provides exclusive wireless service for the Apple iPhone.
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52 months ago
While not exclusively iPhone news by any means this report should be of interest to iPhone users. Evidently ATT is attempting to oust T-Mobile from the Starbucks wireless space according to this report on Gizmodo:
http://gizmodo.com/354961/att-bringing-free-wi+fi-to-starbucks-finally
It's good to finally see some wi-fi hotspot competition that directly benefits wireless users by lowering, or in this case eradicating, usage charges. It's also going to be of great benefit to wi-fi enabled internet devices like the iPhone and Touch.
[ed note: only "free" for certain customers: Starbucks card holders and AT&T broadband customers]
http://gizmodo.com/354961/att-bringing-free-wi+fi-to-starbucks-finally
It's good to finally see some wi-fi hotspot competition that directly benefits wireless users by lowering, or in this case eradicating, usage charges. It's also going to be of great benefit to wi-fi enabled internet devices like the iPhone and Touch.
[ed note: only "free" for certain customers: Starbucks card holders and AT&T broadband customers]
52 months ago
Great news. More free internet the better. Especially for those of us around NYC where Starbucks is as ever present as air.
52 months ago
Yeah, totally. T-mobile's prices are not competitive. They charge $6.00 for an hour, whereas at an AT&T hotspot I paid $4.50 for two hours.
EDIT: Looks like now it's $3.99 for two hours. Even better.
EDIT: Looks like now it's $3.99 for two hours. Even better.
52 months ago
FWIW, T-Mobile users look unaffected:
http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/djf500/200802110954DOWJONESDJONLINE000309_FORTUNE5.htm
http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/djf500/200802110954DOWJONESDJONLINE000309_FORTUNE5.htm
In addition, Starbucks, a Seattle coffee company, said T-Mobile customers will be able to use the Wi-Fi services at no additional costs through an agreement between AT&T and T-Mobile, a unit of Deutsche Telekom AG (DT).
Great news. More free internet the better.
Agreed, although it's not going to be free for most folks. Looks like you'll have to have a Starbucks gift card, or subscribe to AT&T broadband at your house before you get to use it for free.
52 months ago
^^^ So is that true? My reason for getting T-Mobile Total Internet is for my iPhone as well as WiFi at Starbucks and Borders.
If Starbucks switches to AT&T and decides to not let T-Mobile users on, then looks like I'm cancelling my Edge service....
If Starbucks switches to AT&T and decides to not let T-Mobile users on, then looks like I'm cancelling my Edge service....
52 months ago
sweet! i get this included with my broadband service through them then. :D
not that i go to starbucks very often, but knowing i won't have to pay for the internet there, i probably will be more inclined to when i need to get more focused.
not that i go to starbucks very often, but knowing i won't have to pay for the internet there, i probably will be more inclined to when i need to get more focused.
52 months ago
Anyone want to bet me $20 that you'll be able to roll Starbucks access into your iPhone bill?
52 months ago
"AT&T also is giving Starbucks' more than 100,000 U.S. employees free wireless accounts and said it will soon extend the Wi-Fi at Starbucks to its wireless phone customers. The company announced no details or time frame for the expansion."
Anyone have any more details on this? That seems EXTREMELY pricey. I'm thinking it's a typo or comes with some serious caveats.
Anyone have any more details on this? That seems EXTREMELY pricey. I'm thinking it's a typo or comes with some serious caveats.
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