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The Starbucks/AT&T Deal To Change Perception of Public Wi-Fi?

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the more-for-free-less-for-pay dept.

ericatcw writes "According to ComputerWorld, with two hours of free Wi-Fi soon to arrive at Starbucks consumers should expect more hotspots to go free as well as more attractive bundles from the likes of AT&T, Verizon and providers. While T-Mobile is hurting, indie coffeehouses and chains such as Caribou Coffee, Tully's and others that already offered free Wi-Fi, insist they are not, saying their ambiance and superior brew will help them retain customers."

7 of 170 comments (clear)

  1. Who else agrees by TubeSteak · · Score: 3, Insightful

    That ubiquitous, free (if slow) wifi is going to be the way of the future?

    --
    [Fuck Beta]
    o0t!
    1. Re:Who else agrees by misleb · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Not if it continues to utilize the 2.4Ghz range. In most urban areas the 2.4Ghz band is already saturated. I went to install Wifi in one of our satelite offices here in Portland I was able to see 50... that's right 50! other APs in the area. That sucks when there are 3 (4 if you push it) non-overlapping channels available.

      --
      "THERE IS NO JUSTICE, THERE IS ONLY ME." -Death
    2. Re:Who else agrees by Spleen · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Coffee shops and restaurants are somewhat different businesses. Coffee shops want people to hang around because they'll buy another cup or two. Restaurants on the other hand know that once people have had their meal they are doing spending money there. There are exceptions to that, but it is generally true. If a Restaurant's tables are generally full they want people to eat and then leave. Ever have to wait for a table? Imagine if that place had free WiFi and people stuck around after they ate. People maybe coming to expect it like water and electricity, but having a restroom with running water and electricity isn't going to keep people occupying tables for longer periods of time.

  2. I never understood the T-Mobile/Starbucks deal by vondo · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Aside from airports* and some hotels, wireless is free everywhere that has it. (And what are you going to do, use another airport?)

    Seemingly everywhere now has free wireless: coffee shops, my car dealership, bars, etc. Why on earth would I go to Starbucks and pay $2 for a coffee (not a double soy quad shot latte, a COFFEE) and then pay an extra $10 for a wireless connection?

    That deal was doomed from the start and in today's climate is just silly. The new one is quite realistic.

    * Fort Lauderdale and Jacksonville, I believe, have free wireless at the airport. Nice of them!

    1. Re:I never understood the T-Mobile/Starbucks deal by vondo · · Score: 5, Insightful

      In other words, the "perception" of public wireless is already that it's free.

    2. Re:I never understood the T-Mobile/Starbucks deal by milsoRgen · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Okay I like the refill tip you provided, but let's stop. Breath in, exhale... Calm down. It's just coffee. Not really it is, some is good, some is bad. And some people just don't like the Starbucks jive. Shhhh... It's going to be Okay...

      --
      I'm sick of following my dreams. I'm just going to ask where they're goin' and hook up with 'em later.
  3. Re:What? Americans PAY? by jwietelmann · · Score: 5, Insightful

    For every Starbucks here in the USA that charges for Wifi, there's a mom 'n' pop or local chain coffeehouse across the street that offers it for free.

    In fact, I've heard that a sure way to open a successful independent coffee shop is to open one right by a Starbucks. They've already done all the research on the location for you, and given a choice, I think a lot of people prefer to support the little guy and enjoy a less commercial atmosphere.