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Starbucks dumps T-Mobile for AT&T Wi-Fi

Posted Feb 11 2008, 04:23 PM by Kim Peterson
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AT&T gets another win today. Starbucks is ditching T-Mobile and going with AT&T for its customer Wi-Fi service at 7,000 locations.

People who have a Starbucks prepaid gift card can get two hours of free Wi-Fi per day at Starbucks. Glenn Fleishman confirms that you can buy and activate a card, and then get free Wi-Fi from that day forward. Most of AT&T's broadband and U-verse customers will also have free access, but AT&T wireless customers (including iPhone users) won't get the same deal.

Surprisingly, the per-hour Wi-Fi fees will drop under AT&T to $4 for two hours or $20 per month for unlimited access. (T-Mobile used to charge $6 an hour).

The switchover will start this spring and gradually roll out on a city-by-city basis. And fear not, T-Mobile customers: you'll still be able to access Starbucks' Wi-Fi, because Starbucks likes your business too. 

So Starbucks keeps customers happy and gets another way to push its prepaid cards. AT&T vastly expands its hotspot network. People will pay less for Wi-Fi access, and T-Mobile customers aren't left out in the cold.

Update: For everyone who is saying the headline of this post is misleading and that Starbucks isn't dumping T-Mobile, let me clarify. Starbucks has ended its six-year agreement with T-Mobile. AT&T is installing all new equipment at Starbucks, replacing the previous T-Mobile setup. AT&T reached a roaming agreement with T-Mobile to allow T-Mobile customers to access its network for free for the next five years. In case you still have any doubt that Starbucks has dumped T-Mobile, maybe the following stories will help:

Starbucks Ditches T-Mobile USA, Goes with AT&T as New Wi-Fi Partner

Starbucks Ditches T-Mobile

Starbucks Dumps T-Mobile and Climbs into Bed with AT&T

Starbucks Ditches T-Mobile for AT&T

 


 

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Comments

 

I don't see why this is such a big deal. It's still not free. Lots of other (and better) places offer free wi-fi, like Panera, and they serve more than just coffee.

Alix (Posted 02.11.08 6:36 PM) Report Abuse

Virtually every other coffee house offers FREE wi-fi, so one would think that starbucks would step up and do the same -assuming they really cared about anything other than profits. As far as AT&T goes I doubt a poorer choice could have been made.

Satchmo El Grande (Posted 02.11.08 6:37 PM) Report Abuse

bluetooth, an old danish pirate, or most of the tweekers up here in the high desert, california. Or should there be a no tooth.

The day I pay for Bigbucks is the day I pay more then $10 to cut what is left of my hair. Mike Dills

Mike Dills (Posted 02.11.08 6:39 PM) Report Abuse

Why go to overpriced starbuck's and pay for wifi service? You can go to any Panera and get FREE WIFI service, a great cup of coffee thats 1/2 the price of starbucks and a WIDE selection of snacks, breads and sandwiches. Just another example of a larger then good for itself corporation trying to gouge customers six ways to sunday

Cre8ive one (Posted 02.11.08 6:39 PM) Report Abuse

Of course this would have NOTHING to do with the recent price increases would it?

I brew my own coffee, have a can of whip cream and creamer and its STILL cheaper than 1 cup at Slavebucks

Will (Posted 02.11.08 6:39 PM) Report Abuse

I can't believe that they are still trying to tie Wifi to revenue (via the gift card).

WiFi should be free, nobody is going to pay for it any more.  It's free at Safeway, for crying out loud.  

Asking people to buy anything to get WiFi is like a bar insisting that you buy a drink before you can watch the tv.  And the Wifi services that are still charging rates like they do at McDonalds, which may become the last company on earth to get it .... boycott them.  Just say no.  Don't give in to robbery.

ThymeZone (Posted 02.11.08 6:39 PM) Report Abuse

We get free wifi at most local coffee shops and bars, and it supports local business.  

alex (Posted 02.11.08 6:41 PM) Report Abuse

why should it be free? It's not free at your home. right? They have to pay bills also.

Todd (Posted 02.11.08 6:42 PM) Report Abuse

I don't understand why anyone would PAY for wi-fi!!!!!! Almost everywhere else offers it for free with better coffee, service and price (for the coffee)

Anniepants (Posted 02.11.08 6:45 PM) Report Abuse

Anyone  who pays 4 to 6 dollers  for a cup of  coffee ,latte ,moca , cappachino, what ever they call it these  days ,really shouldnt worry about  what Wi-Fi  cost ,Anyway  all the cell phone companys  have there  good points and bad points there all about getting the extra  buck, No pun intended Starbucks .everyone have a wonderfull Day.

Big Rob (Posted 02.11.08 6:45 PM) Report Abuse

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