T-Mobile has been the hotspot provider for Starbucks. Not anymore. T-Mobile has been dropped by Starbucks in favor of AT&T as their wi-fi provider. So now in addition to McDonalds, AT&T subscribers can add thousands of Starbucks to the number of locations they can get online and work. It is not clear if your T-Mobile accounts are still going to work, or are you going to get shafted. I would be mighty mad if my plan stops working.
* Update: Kevin Toefel tells us that the T-Mobile users will still be able to use Starbucks WiFi with their existing accounts.
* Update #2: T-Mobile confirmed that their customers will still be able to use the Starbucks WiFi. “T-Mobile HotSpot customers can continue to access Wi-Fi services at Starbucks now and for years to come,” the company spokesperson said in an emailed statement.
* Update #3: T-Mobile offered up further information. “Today’s announcement regarding the Starbucks Wi-Fi operations will not impact T-Mobile HotSpot customers’ ability to use Wi-Fi services at Starbucks locations for years to come. In fact, the Wi-Fi network operations transition will not begin until later this year. Even after the transition, T-Mobile HotSpot and HotSpot @Home customers will continue to experience seamless Wi-Fi access at Starbucks locations for at least the next five years under a roaming agreement between T-Mobile USA and AT&T. There will be no additional charge for T-Mobile HotSpot and Hotspot @Home customers at Starbucks.”
15 comments so far
8:58 AM PT
And just when will iPhone users get to use these networks?
9:04 AM PT
But you still have to pay to use it…right? Panera Bread has it Free.
9:12 AM PT
@gotbob,
I agree. Panera bread is better WiFI. the problem is it is hard to find those stores. We have one close to our office.
9:28 AM PT
I wonder what this means for Starbucks + iTunes. As far as I know, there was a heavy integration with T-Mobile in order to stream the music, and have the iPods/iPhones recognize they were at a Starbucks, get the title of the music being played, and access the ITMS for free.
10:10 AM PT
Mike
I think the AT&T-iTunes deal might have been the driving force behind the big switch since it keeps the whole itunes experience pretty tightly integrated. T-Mobile branding might have been a little confusing for non-hardcore customers. My 2 cents.
10:17 AM PT
that’s very generous of t-mobile to offer to continue to charge customers for the first 2 hours of service while att offers it for free. sounds like a great way to keep loyal customers! smart thinking t-mobile, very clever…why get the milk for free when you can buy the cow?
10:25 AM PT
Panera’s WiFi is nice but you can’t VPN into work. When I try it, I get disconnected after about 60 seconds, especially if I’ve been idle for that time. And because Panera is free, it can get really crowded.
10:44 AM PT
Isn’t ATT under scrutiny for the warrantless surveillance activities? Loyal starbucks fans better cross their fingers & toes that the new FISA bill passes granting telecom immunity
11:16 AM PT
Just go to Jwire.com, there are 1000s of coffee shops and places that offer free Wi-Fi. Starbucks should offer free at all times.
12:09 PM PT
@darren: Pu-lease…
12:46 PM PT
Switching to At+T is a bad move. Does this mean that they are better than T-Mobile? I doubt it.
9:43 AM PT
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