AT&T will provide free Internet Wi-Fi hotspots to over 7,000 Starbuck locations.
AT&T will provide free Internet Wi-Fi hotspots to over 7,000 Starbuck locations.
By: Jim Phillips
Feb 11, 2008 20:22 PM GMT
Starbucks announced that it will drop T-Mobile in favor of a new Wi-Fi offering from AT&T. Not only will customers enjoy great gourmet coffee, but they can also enjoy free Wi-Fi internet service.
Though its Wi-FiSM network, AT&T will generously provide Starbucks with wireless hotspots of up to two hours per day with options to purchase additional time or a monthly plan. In addition, current AT&T Internet customers get unlimited free access to the Wi-Fi service. There are over 12 million users who subscribe to AT&T broadband.
The AT&T deal means that there will be 17,000 hot spots in the US for its Wi-Fi network and more than 70,000 globally.
Wi-Fi and free internet services are becoming more common for larger companies such as airlines, hotels and television networks. It's a very competitive market in hopes to convince new customers to subscribe with companies that offer the free services.
T-Mobile offers its hotspot service to nearly 5,000 Starbucks stores for $6 an hour, or $9.99 a day. Starbucks said its T-Mobile hotspot customers will have continued Wi-Fi services at no extra cost.
For Starbuck customers who do not have either an AT&T subscription or a Starbucks card, Starbucks will sell two-hour blocks of wireless Internet for $3.99 or a monthly membership for $19.99.
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