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AT&T, Starbucks resume free iPhone Wi-Fi

updated 01:45 pm EDT, Wed October 29, 2008

Starbucks iPhone Wi-Fi


AT&T has finally resumed its free Wi-Fi service for iPhone owners visiting Starbucks Coffee shops, according to an announcement. American iPhone owners are said to be receiving text messages, informing them of the expansion of hotspot service to include Starbucks; other locations include places such as airports, hotels and restaurants. Gaining access requires picking the "attwifi" network, entering a phone number, and waiting for a text message with a 24-hour link.

The attempt to move iPhone Wi-Fi into Starbucks has been fraught with obstacles, with AT&T at one point offering the service for a short time before retracting it. More recently the carrier was forced into a legal battle with T-Mobile, which accused Starbucks and AT&T of promoting the latter's Wi-Fi at outlets where only T-Mobile's network was available. All three parties have since agreed to halt the lawsuit, paving the way for a full transition to AT&T.


by MacNN Staff

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TAGS :

 iPhone, AT&T, T-Mobile, Wi-Fi, Starbucks

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  1. evansb2

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Jul 2007

    +1
    10/29, 01:55pm | report spam | Reply |

    Works seamlessly

    With an almost instant text message to my iPhone. Later today, I'll try using the link at a different Starbucks.

  1. JuanGuapo

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Jan 2008

    +1
    10/29, 02:31pm | report spam | Reply |

    Question.

    It appears to only be for iPhone users to use on their iPhone-only. Correct?

  1. gskibum3

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Nov 2006

    +1
    10/29, 03:27pm | report spam | Reply |

    LOL!

    Going to a Starbuck's and actually paying for wireless internet instead of going to a local place around the corner that offers it for free is moronic. Stupid status symbol nonsense. Its like charging for napkins sugar packs.

  1. lysolman

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: May 2005

    +1
    10/29, 03:29pm | report spam | Reply |

    New text for each hotspot

    You have to get a new secure link whenever you move to another hotspot. From AT&T's site:

    "The SMS link will only be valid for 24 hours at the location it was requested. Another request must be submitted when using another hotspot location."

    http://www.wireless.att.com/learn/internet/accessing-wifi.jsp

    And, yes, it looks as thought you can only use it on your iPhone, but I'm sure someone will figure something out soon enough.

  1. lysolman

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: May 2005

    -1
    10/29, 03:30pm | report spam | Reply |

    New text for each hotspot

    You have to get a new secure link whenever you move to another hotspot. From AT&T's site:

    "The SMS link will only be valid for 24 hours at the location it was requested. Another request must be submitted when using another hotspot location."

    http://www.wireless.att.com/learn/internet/accessing-wifi.jsp

    And, yes, it looks as though you can only use it on your iPhone, but I'm sure someone will figure something out soon enough.

  1. danangdoc

    Junior Member

    Joined: Jan 2007

    +1
    10/29, 03:31pm | report spam | Reply |

    Right gskibum3 !!!

    There's a Panera bread next to the Starbucks at the mall by me. Panera has free wifi. But the idiots go into the Starbucks and PAY! What the heck? Panera has specialty coffees, soups, deserts, a fireplace - yes - I agree - people think it's a status symbol. What jerks!

  1. JuanGuapo

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Jan 2008

    +1
    10/29, 05:45pm | report spam | Reply |

    MMMmmm Panera

    I love Panera...esp. their french onion soup.

  1. gskibum3

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Nov 2006

    0
    10/29, 08:28pm | report spam | Reply |

    Oops!

    I made a mistake.

    Going to Starbucks and actually paying for wireless is like paying for sugar packs and napkins. Totally moronic behavior. A very different point than Starbucks charging for it.

  1. mserv2001

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Mar 2001

    +2
    10/30, 03:10am | report spam | Reply |

    Panera

    Where is Panera?

  1. danangdoc

    Junior Member

    Joined: Jan 2007

    +1
    10/30, 11:20am | report spam | Reply |

    Panera

    Go to www.panerabread.com It's a franchise. Great place to eat. They show where their nearest store is if you enter your zip code. 1230 locations in 40 states and Canada they say. Yeah, their French Onion soup is da bomb! No password required for their WiFi either!

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