AT&T takes over Starbucks – iPhone access next?
AT&T announced today that starting this spring they will run Starbucks’ 7000 wifi networks in the US. Existing T-Mobile hotspot customers need not worry, as Starbucks made sure that AT&T continues to allow T-Mobile users access free of charge.
Of course, most iPhone users don’t use T-Mobile, so AT&T tantalisingly adds that they will “soon extend the benefits of Wi-Fi at Starbucks to its [own] wireless customers.” That, and free access for AT&T Uverse (DSL) customers, a huge price drop ($4 for 2 hours, vs. $6/hour, $10 a day on T-Mobile), and 2 hours of free access for all customers who used a Starbucks Card to purchase their drinks, certainly doesn’t make this deal seem too shabby.
February 11th, 2008 at 11:39 am
Interesting; does this mean every tx on your Starbucks card gets you 2 hours? Or only 1 per day.
Seems like bad news for T-Mobile.
February 11th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
MacEnstein is posting a bunch of crazy stuff around this:
http://www.macenstein.com/default/
Including AT&T recommending using iPhone on 3G
Outlandish speculation that the new 16gb iPhone has firmware-unlockable 3G
And AT&T hotspots + 700mhz auction = iPhone skipping 3G and going straight to blanket WiFi/700mhz