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.”
And just when will iPhone users get to use these networks?
But you still have to pay to use it…right? Panera Bread has it Free.
@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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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
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.
@darren: Pu-lease…
Switching to At+T is a bad move. Does this mean that they are better than T-Mobile? I doubt it.