AT&T has mistakenly announced free Wi-Fi for iPhone users…again, says CNet’s Marguerite Reardon and Om Malik
For the second time in less than six months, AT&T mistakenly published a notice on its Web site indicating that Apple iPhone users would get free access to the wireless operator’s more than 17,000 Wi-Fi hot spots around the country.
News of free access to AT&T Wi-Fi hot spots was reported on several blogs Friday morning after it was discovered that a notice had been posted on AT&T’s Web site. The notice, which was still live at 8:30 a.m. PDT but then was removed by 9:30 a.m.
Wes Warnock, an AT&T spokesman, told CNET News that the notice was published in error.
“We have not made any announcement regarding free Wi-Fi and iPhone,” he said in an e-mail. “The Web page was posted in error and is being removed.”
But Starbucks does offer ALMOST free Wi-Fi access. It’s available to customers who purchase a minimum $5 reloadable Starbucks Card, and use the card at least once a month. Users get two free hours daily.
AT&T also enables qualifying LaptopConnect customers (using HSPA) to access more than 17,000 Wi-Fi hot spots free of charge, including Starbucks. When not in a hot spot, AT&T LaptopConnect cards operate on AT&T’s wireless network, which provides DSL-like speeds in more than 275 markets in the U.S.
Still, Starbucks and Barnes and Noble Wi-Fi hotspots are expected to provide free internet access for iPhone users. Panasonic’s DMC-TZ50 Wi-Fi enabled camera ($450) includes twelve months of free access to T-Mobile’s Hotspots, after which time continued access requires a subscription. The $129 Eye-Fi Explorer SD card has a similar deal.
Glenn Fleishman once said; Free Wi-Fi from Starbucks? Ha! Ain’t. Gunna. Happen.
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