Announced today, Starbucks is gearing up to transition its WiFi relationship from
T-Mobile to AT&T in over 7,000 of its locations in the US. For T-Mobile HotSpot customers feelin' a bit like day old espresso right about now, fret not, as the coffee giant has assured us all that you folks "will be able to continue to access WiFi services at no additional cost through an agreement between AT&T and T-Mobile." Starting "sometime this Spring," Starbucks card holders will be treated to two hours of free WiFi access per day, while more than 12 million "qualifying AT&T broadband and U-verse internet customers will have unlimited free access." For whatever it's worth, the press release also notes that the carrier will "soon extend the benefits of WiFi at Starbucks to its wireless customers," but it (sadly) fails to elaborate. For those of you out there without any ties to AT&T, expect to pony up $3.99 for a two hour session or $19.99 for monthly access.
[Via
mocoNews]
Read - Starbucks to expand technology relationship with AT&T
Read - More than 12 million AT&T, Starbucks customers to get free WiFi access
posted Feb 11th 2008 12:11PM
Ugh, AT&T. :(
Isn't the $20 per month cheaper than the $30 that Tmo requires with a contract $40 without? This is a win for everyone other than Tmo.
Yeah and 2.99/2 hr is much better than 6 bucks/hour with T-Mobile
Err... I mean 3.99
Its t-mobile unlimited internet add-on is $20 with voice contract, your pricing is outdated.
Best news I heard all day lol. Just got my iphone and cancelled t-mobile. Already have Uverse.
Best news of the month! and good news for my iphone I wish I can get U-Verse at home but I'm stuck in Verizon territory. I wonder how much extra it would cost us to get on the wifi for AT&T wireless customers.
People should just go to a cafe that has 1) free wifi, and 2) good coffee. Just saying.
"Starbucks card holders will be treated to two hours of free WiFi access per day"
Which Starbucks card are they talking about - a regular old gift card? Surely not.
T-Mobile started offering unlimited EDGE data with unlimited T-Mobile hotspot use for $19.99 a month last month.
That rate is only available to those who call up T-Mobile's customer service and request to change to the new data rate package. The rate is still unlisted on their web site.
In the end, AT&T is just offering the same service at the same price that informed T-Mobile users are already getting.
The real question is how long this "agreement between AT&T and T-Mobile" allowing us to continue to use the $tarbuck$ hotspots will continue.
Oh Man that sucks! I hate AT&T, and my T-Mobile customer services has been super, so I'm happy to say I'm very loyal to them. I've had AT&T in the past, and no thanks!!! This is a sad day for a good company once again pushed around by the giant in the industry.
Kind of agree with murray... Althought I'll admit I drink Starbucks from time to time 'cause they're convenient, and the other cafes aren't open as late.
But if I was a big Starbucks fanatic, this would be awesome, because my parents already have AT&T DSL, and I've used their account at various hotspots before. Its pretty great.
Ladies and Gentlemen, with T-Mobile touting its original 8500 HotSpots nationwide, this take over of ALL Starbucks HotSpots (over 7000) brings T-Mobile OWNED or OPERATED HotSpots to only 1500 give or take. Looks like ATT definitely is a monopoly on many connected items of communication.
Unfortunately this is a HUGE downfall for T-Mobile as many customers will not only leave thinking they no longer get HotSpot at Starbucks, but also see that AT&T is a bigger more concise company to offer connections literally, ANYWHERE.
T-Mobile is now losing MILLIONS per year on this deal. I wouldnt be surprised if T-Mobile (after their dreaded 3G spectrum fiasco) starts selling its company piece by piece to the highest bidder in the next 3 years.
Get ready to see a MAJOR downfall from T-Mobile. This is JUST the start.
First of all, T-Mobile Data costumers still have access to the hotspots, and only at&t dsl customers can use the wi-fi, not wireless. At&t wireless customers still have to cough up $20 extra in addition to any data plan they are paying for to use these hotspots on a monthly basis. T-Mobile 3G is coming out this summer and if you have been paying any attention at all you would see that T-Mobile has been growing rapidly, you would have to be retarded to think that Deutsche Telekom would sell T-Mobile USA which is becoming they're #1 source of revenue; and especially since DT is one of the largest telecommunications companies in the world, with nearly 120 million customers worldwide, a lot larger than at&t which is only based in the US.