We have been expecting AT&T to roll this out ever since the fiasco couple of months where AT&T's website had mentioned free access to more than 17,000 AT&T Wi-Fi hotspots, including Starbucks only to be rolled back within a few hours.
At that time AT&T had blamed the confusion on a human error but had told us that they were planning to provide free access to their Wi-Fi hotspots sometime in the future.
AT&T has finally announced free access to its Wi-Fi hotspots for all its iPhone customers in the US.
Update: Folks, I am sorry, the Wi-Fi is still not available, and it appears that the “document” was again a mistake.
Here are some excerpts from the document detailing the rollout:
"AT&T knows Wi-Fi is hot, and free Wi-Fi even hotter, which is why we are proud to offer iPhone customers free access to the nation's largest Wi-Fi hotspot network with more than 17,000 hotspots, including Starbucks*. Now users can relax and access music, e-mail and web browsing services with their favorite blend in hand from the comfort of their favorite location."
This means AT&T's iPhone customers now have free access to Wi-Fi at over 17,000 Wi-Fi hotspots across US, including:
* 12 Airports
* 31 Hotels
* 23 Universities
* 18 Convention Centers
* 5 Sports Centers
* 8,000 + Restaurants
* 700 + Bookstores
* 50 + Supermarkets
I know this goes without saying but to avoid any confusion, let me clarify that this facility is available only to iPhone users with a valid AT&T contract in the US. It is not for "all iPhone users" i.e. those who have unlocked their iPhones.
So have you been able to check the free Wi-Fi access at AT&T's hotspots? Let us know in the comments.
Update:
Om Malik has got the following email from one of AT&T's spokesperson in response to his question to find out if the above news was true:
We have not made any announcement regarding free Wi-Fi and iPhone. The webpage was posted in error and is being removed. Wi-Fi is a real differentiator for AT&T and it is our intention to make it available to as many customers as possible, but we have no announcement at this time.
This is getting really embarrassing, not just for AT&T but also for everyone in the blogosphere as well. I think when AT&T finally rolls out free Wi-Fi, no one will write about it as no will believe its true.
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Hummm…I think there may be an additional i~tax on your coffee.
When you get your receipt there will probably be a code at the bottom that reads: Enter this code for your free wifi access…
Will have to check it out when I go out for lunch hopefully starbucks will still be open…. it's been said 600 starbucks will be closing and more to come.
Another clever offering from AT&T 3G service for your i-phones but no 3G service free wifi at locations that will no longer exist.
Wonder what else they want to (give) their customers….
i~wait for lunch hour…
good for both customers and at&t, since they would prefer us to use wifi instead of edge/3g which are more costly to them
hmm this doesnt help much, when almost every place restaurant, hotels, and starbucks, over where i live is Free WIFI internet, so thsi doesnt help me that much, but YES if i ever see a hotSpot, then that would help me
just tried AT&T wifi @ McDonalds and it was labled AT&T Wi-fi ROAMING