Daily Marauder

COFFEE AND FREE WI-FI

The Recap

In February, Starbucks ended its 7-year relationship with T-Mobile for provision of Wi-Fi services in favor or a new relationship with AT&T. T-Mobile sued Starbucks because they say they have the exclusive right to “sell, market, and promote” in stores until the Wi-Fi networks have been completely transitioned to the new system. As of this post (6/11), T-Mobile & Starbucks have settled that suit.

Free Wi-Fi For All. . .Starbucks Customers

Given Starbucks’ new relationship with AT&T, users are allowed 2 hours of free Wi-Fi daily given that they spend $5 monthly on a rewards card. Let’s face it, that’s almost a single coffee. One coffee a month for 2 hours of free Wi-Fi daily. Done and done.

The Experiment

That’s all I needed to know to venture out in my quest for free Wi-Fi at the closest Starbucks. At the time, this happened to be a Starbucks in Warwick, RI. I asked the boisterous teenager at the counter about the free Wi-Fi with over-exaggerated zeal in my eyes. To my surprise, she knew nothing about the rewards card purchase for free Wi-Fi. Regardless, I requested the rewards card, loaded up the prerequisite $5, purchased the obligatory latte and went on my way.

I hopped online, registered my card, and speeded ahead with the free Wi-Fi experience. The only confusing part of the entire transaction was really connecting to AT&T in the store while the T-Mobile Wi-Fi service is clearly still offered at the location.

Go Out and Get You Some

THIS IS AWESOME. I could only ask for more in terms of allowable hours in one day. For $10, could I work from Starbucks all day? That much Java and free Wi-Fi would lead to some insane work efficiency. Let’s forget attempting a government-enabled free Wi-Fi system. Let’s just blanket the world with Starbucks (as if that weren’t already the case). Pay $5 per month for broadband access to your java supplier rather than the $30 to your cable company.

Related articles

• AT&T; and Starbucks settle T-Mobile Lawsuit [via Zemanta]
• T-Mobile, AT&T & Starbucks reach new agreement over WiFi switchover [via Zemanta]
• T-Mobile, AT&T; And Starbucks Resolve Wi-Fi Dispute [via Zemanta]
• On WiFi, T-Mobile, Starbucks & AT&T; Make Up, Drink Coffee [via Zemanta]
• T-Mobile Sues Starbucks Over Free AT&T; Wi-Fi [Starbucks] [via Zemanta]
• T-Mobile Sues Starbucks For Over Eager Switch To Free WiFi [via Zemanta]
• Starbucks Free Wi-Fi Officially Launched [Starbucks] [via Zemanta]
• AT&T; offers free Wi-Fi at Starbucks [via Zemanta]

Between this and the new direction the stores are taking — refocusing on the coffee — Starbucks is doing a lot right these days.

Comment by Matt Birdoff June 12, 2008 @ 9:10 AM

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