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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."

10 of 170 comments (clear)

  1. What? Americans PAY? by Shuntros · · Score: 5, Informative

    Wifi in European Starbucks has been free for a long time now. Buy a coffee, get a free wifi scratchcard. When credit runs out, go back to counter and get another one.....

    1. 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.

    2. Re:What? Americans PAY? by syzler · · Score: 4, Interesting

      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.

      That is funny since where I live, Starbucks is the little guy. In Anchorage, AK the big coffee shop player is Kaladis Brothers. Kaladis has been offering free wireless to anyone since I came to Anchorage seven years ago. They also have a nicer atmosphere with big over stuffed couches and chairs, plenty of tables, and power outlets for computers every where. Most of the local restaurants and grocers feature "Kaladi Coffee" instead of Starbucks.

  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. Panera Has Had Free WiFi For Years by cbowland · · Score: 5, Informative

    Panera Bread has had free wifi for years. You can use this page to find one near you. They typically don't hassle you even if you are camped out and not buying much.

    --

    Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day.
    Teach him to eat and he will fish forever.

  4. Re:Information wants to be free... by isotactic · · Score: 4, Informative

    It's only 2 Free hours - you have to buy a card for $15, and then the first 2 hours are "free", after that you start paying again.

  5. Liberal Conspiracy! by ArikTheRed · · Score: 4, Funny

    First AT&T makes major deals with Apple, now with Starbucks? What's next - NPR, Prius and The Daily Show?

    ps: joke.

    --
    http://www.coderoshi.com/
  6. Re:Information wants to be free... by jac89 · · Score: 5, Informative

    Its actually 2 free hours a day, which for a one off fee of 15 dollars is really not too bad.