AT&T Disables Free iPhone Wi-Fi (For Now)

MacRumors · 02:12 PM

On Wednesday, we reported that AT&T had begun offering free Wi-Fi access to iPhone users at many of their national Wi-Fi hotspots, including Starbucks and Barnes & Noble locations.

No official announcement had been made, however, and AT&T representatives reportedly declined to comment. Today, many users are reporting that the free iPhone access has been removed and users are unable to log-in with just their phone number. This appears to be true at locations that were verified to offer the free Wi-Fi access just days before.

Based on the screenshot and wording of the login page ("Free AT&T Wi-Fi for iPhone"), there can be no doubt that the service was intentional, but it appears it may have been launched prematurely. Regardless, we still expect the service to be officially announced in the future.

Article Link

ramuman · May 3, 2008, 01:58 PM

I expect the service to return in the future - maybe around when the 3G iPhone is released. Also, WiFi was free for DSL and EDGE subscribers in general I think, not just iPhone users.

kavika411 · May 3, 2008, 01:59 PM

No one does better product roll-outs than AT&T.

thejadedmonkey · May 3, 2008, 02:00 PM

Probably because anyone who knew someone with an iPhone and who knew how to spoof a user-agent could get free WiFi

thevofl · May 3, 2008, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kavika411

No one does better product roll-outs than AT&T.

As someone who used to work for AT&T, I can personally attest to the truth behind the sarcasm.

Doctor Q · May 3, 2008, 02:03 PM

If that was a teaser promotion, it wasn't handled in the best way possible. If it's just a goof, they'll correct it.

mkrishnan · May 3, 2008, 02:08 PM

So I'm still trying to understand this situation...sorry. AT&T includes free hotspot access as part of the iPhone plans, correct? But that coverage doesn't always extend to every AT&T hotspot, and in particular, the ones inside Starbucks and Barnes & Nobles don't work?

So in essence, with AT&T having outbid T-Mobile and taken over the Starbucks hotspot contract, as well as having bagged the iPhone, I get access to Starbucks hotspots on my unlocked iPhone on T-Mobile (because T-Mobile also includes hotspot access in data plans and Starbucks arranged for free T-Mobile roaming on their hotspots)? And you (who use the iPhone officially on AT&T) don't?

Niiiiice.

CommanderData · May 3, 2008, 02:09 PM

The free wifi for iPhone users was shut off due to the fact it was easily cheated. Anyone can set their user-agent string to Safari and connect to the wifi if they know a valid iPhone telephone number.

This means you could connect with your laptop if you used your buddy's number for free!

Read more here: http://blogs.zdnet.com/security/?p=1067

arn · May 3, 2008, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkrishnan

So I'm still trying to understand this situation...sorry. AT&T includes free hotspot access as part of the iPhone plans, correct?

No, AT&T has never promised free Wi-Fi hotspot access with iPhone service. That's why the news of it on Wednesday was such a big deal.

arn

naroola · May 3, 2008, 02:15 PM

I guess AT&T will wait until Jobs announces this himself at WWDC (hopefully).

solipsism · May 3, 2008, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ramuman

I expect the service to return in the future - maybe around when the 3G iPhone is released. Also, WiFi was free for DSL and EDGE subscribers in general I think, not just iPhone users.

yes, but this was a special portal for WiFI users. The HotSpot would monitor the USer Agent and take you to a special iPhone Safari page to access the internet.

Quote:

Originally Posted by thejadedmonkey

Probably because anyone who knew someone with an iPhone and who knew how to spoof a user-agent could get free WiFi

I concur.There is only a couple ways AT&T can prevent the spoofing from occurring.

The first, if they want it now, is to have you put in your AT&T iPhone phone number, then AT&T sends you a random SMS code that you then put into the webpage to gain access. This would still allow access to those with access to an iPhone that are spoofing their User Agent.

The second is to not allow iPhones on the AT&T WiFi network until v2.0 comes out. This way, AT&T can have a free or 99¢ app—which will more than pay for the development—that authenticates you on the AT&T hotspots.

solipsism · May 3, 2008, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arn

No, AT&T has never promised free Wi-Fi hotspot access with iPhone service. That's why the news of it on Wednesday was such a big deal.

But it does make sense to include it for the largest bandwidth eater in their lineup. AT&T's data over WiFi is significantly cheaper to operate and upgrade than their W-CDMA or even EDGE network. So the more iPhones AT&T can push onto the el cheapo WiFi connections at hotspots the better for them, and since the speed will most likely be faster than the carrier network in speed and latency it's better for the consumer.

Yvan256 · May 3, 2008, 02:27 PM

Not to mention that slashdot picked on the news, meaning that a lot of technical people knew how to use the workaround.

tba03 · May 3, 2008, 02:54 PM

until thy figure out how to filter all of us changing the user agent of safari to iphone, greedy att

MacSlut · May 3, 2008, 03:00 PM

Funny, today I fount an AT&T hotspot that used to charge $10 a day, but is totally free. It doesn't ask for an iPhone number, just a check box for having agreed to the terms. This wasn't at a Startbucks or Barnes & Noble, but a hotspot in the San Francisco Bay area.

PlaceofDis · May 3, 2008, 03:01 PM

probably going to have to wait from an update from apple so that it can indeed be limited to iphones, or some way to not let the people using the id spoof get on the networks

EricNau · May 3, 2008, 03:03 PM

Perhaps they're waiting for WWDC in June...

MacSlut · May 3, 2008, 03:04 PM

Also want to say that I hope this was just a temporary glitch. Free WiFi access for iPhone owners (and the small percentage that hack) would be totally worth it. AT&T should consider offering this, if not free, for a small fee added to your bill and then give people passwords.

gkarris · 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arn

No, AT&T has never promised free Wi-Fi hotspot access with iPhone service. That's why the news of it on Wednesday was such a big deal.

arn

Oh, I was wondering what the big deal was.

Wierd. DSL subscribers (as long as it not the basic DSL package) get access to AT&T WiFi Hotspots.

Maybe AT&T is going to give it to EDGE subscribers eventually as well...

(T-Mobile EDGE subscribers get hotspot access...)

mkrishnan · May 3, 2008, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arn

No, AT&T has never promised free Wi-Fi hotspot access with iPhone service. That's why the news of it on Wednesday was such a big deal.

Oh, really? I'm sorry.

I thought that hotspots were a part of all AT&T cell data packages, including the iPhone.

sebastianlewis · May 3, 2008, 03:18 PM

Hmm, it really is kind of stupid to rely on the browser agent anyway, Apple should build it into the iPhone's software and offer a preference to automatically transfer from EDGE to AT&T's WiFi when possible.. hmm.. that's an interesting idea though: a user interface that allowed you to drag and drop different networks based on priority, your home network might be #1, Corporate WiFi network as #2, HSPA as #3 (when that version of the iPhone comes out), AT&T WiFi as #4 and EDGE as #5 maybe, and be able to do this with any WiFi network you have access to in addition to AT&T's (or the others) services.

It shouldn't do this based on just availability either, but based on which is the fastest and most available at the time.

Sebastian

crees! · May 3, 2008, 03:19 PM

I so can't wait till I get an iPhone. June just can't come soon enough.

iansilv · May 3, 2008, 03:30 PM

Maybe they will ahve i work wihtout the phone number authentication

deftdrummer · May 3, 2008, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CommanderData

The free wifi for iPhone users was shut off due to the fact it was easily cheated. Anyone can set their user-agent string to Safari and connect to the wifi if they know a valid iPhone telephone number.

This means you could connect with your laptop if you used your buddy's number for free!

Read more here: http://blogs.zdnet.com/security/?p=1067

yeah steps to spoof in order to gain free wifi access were posted on the net within hours of the free wifi announcement. Seems everyone is out to skirt the perks of being an iphone user these days. Be it with their "iphone killers," (claimed only due to the integration of a "touch" screen), or free wifi access in Starbucks, spiting the iphone industry seems to be the latest craze.

Flowbee · May 3, 2008, 04:01 PM

I recently bought my first Starbucks coffee in months because of the free iPhone wifi. On Monday, I guess I'll be going across the street to Peets again.

May 3, 2008, 01:55 PM	#1
MacRumors macrumors bot Join Date: Apr 2001	AT&T Disables Free iPhone Wi-Fi (For Now) On Wednesday, we reported that AT&T had begun offering free Wi-Fi access to iPhone users at many of their national Wi-Fi hotspots, including Starbucks and Barnes & Noble locations. No official announcement had been made, however, and AT&T representatives reportedly declined to comment. Today, many users are reporting that the free iPhone access has been removed and users are unable to log-in with just their phone number. This appears to be true at locations that were verified to offer the free Wi-Fi access just days before. Based on the screenshot and wording of the login page ("Free AT&T Wi-Fi for iPhone"), there can be no doubt that the service was intentional, but it appears it may have been launched prematurely. Regardless, we still expect the service to be officially announced in the future. Article Link Last edited by arn : May 3, 2008 at 02:12 PM.

May 3, 2008, 02:03 PM	#6
Doctor Q macrumors god Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Chu-anz W'allo	If that was a teaser promotion, it wasn't handled in the best way possible. If it's just a goof, they'll correct it. __________________ >INPUTFOODCODE:MENU<BACON>;V,'CRISPY': (CIN>>EGGS)OVEREASY//N++(TOAST)/>>LIQ,(O_J)N:(NOPULP)<

May 3, 2008, 02:08 PM	#7
mkrishnan Demi-God (Moderator) Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Grand Rapids, MI, USA	So I'm still trying to understand this situation...sorry. AT&T includes free hotspot access as part of the iPhone plans, correct? But that coverage doesn't always extend to every AT&T hotspot, and in particular, the ones inside Starbucks and Barnes & Nobles don't work? So in essence, with AT&T having outbid T-Mobile and taken over the Starbucks hotspot contract, as well as having bagged the iPhone, I get access to Starbucks hotspots on my unlocked iPhone on T-Mobile (because T-Mobile also includes hotspot access in data plans and Starbucks arranged for free T-Mobile roaming on their hotspots)? And you (who use the iPhone officially on AT&T) don't? Niiiiice. __________________ Mohan

May 3, 2008, 02:15 PM	#10
naroola macrumors member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: New York, NY	I guess AT&T will wait until Jobs announces this himself at WWDC (hopefully). __________________  Aluminum iMac 24" 2.4GHz C2D 3GB \| Macbook Air 1.6GHz HDD AEBS \| Apple TV 40GB iPhone 3G 16GB Black \| iPod Shuffle-Orange

May 3, 2008, 02:27 PM	#13
Yvan256 macrumors 68040 Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Canada	Not to mention that slashdot picked on the news, meaning that a lot of technical people knew how to use the workaround. __________________ Mac mini Core 2 Duo 1.83 GHz/2.5 GiB, Mac mini G4 1.42 GHz/1 GiB, 12" PowerBook G4 1.5 GHz/512 MiB, iPod touch 16 GiB, silver iPod shuffle 1 GiB.

May 3, 2008, 01:58 PM	#2
ramuman macrumors member Join Date: Mar 2005	I expect the service to return in the future - maybe around when the 3G iPhone is released. Also, WiFi was free for DSL and EDGE subscribers in general I think, not just iPhone users.

May 3, 2008, 01:59 PM	#3
kavika411 macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Alabama	No one does better product roll-outs than AT&T.

May 3, 2008, 02:00 PM	#4
thejadedmonkey macrumors 68040 Join Date: May 2005 Location: Pa	Probably because anyone who knew someone with an iPhone and who knew how to spoof a user-agent could get free WiFi __________________ Mac Mini G4 • MacBook Pro • iPod Nano "Good judgement comes from experience, experience comes from bad judgement." - Mulla Nasrudin

May 3, 2008, 02:09 PM	#8
CommanderData macrumors regular Join Date: Dec 2007	The free wifi for iPhone users was shut off due to the fact it was easily cheated. Anyone can set their user-agent string to Safari and connect to the wifi if they know a valid iPhone telephone number. This means you could connect with your laptop if you used your buddy's number for free! Read more here: http://blogs.zdnet.com/security/?p=1067

May 3, 2008, 02:54 PM	#14
tba03 macrumors member Join Date: Sep 2007	until thy figure out how to filter all of us changing the user agent of safari to iphone, greedy att

May 3, 2008, 03:00 PM	#15
MacSlut macrumors regular Join Date: Aug 2002	Funny, today I fount an AT&T hotspot that used to charge $10 a day, but is totally free. It doesn't ask for an iPhone number, just a check box for having agreed to the terms. This wasn't at a Startbucks or Barnes & Noble, but a hotspot in the San Francisco Bay area. __________________ The best hair salon in San Francisco

May 3, 2008, 03:01 PM	#16
PlaceofDis macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Chicago.	probably going to have to wait from an update from apple so that it can indeed be limited to iphones, or some way to not let the people using the id spoof get on the networks __________________ dim my eyes on the waves of confessions... SpringWarmCold

May 3, 2008, 03:03 PM	#17
EricNau macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Sacramento, CA	Perhaps they're waiting for WWDC in June...

May 3, 2008, 03:04 PM	#18
MacSlut macrumors regular Join Date: Aug 2002	Also want to say that I hope this was just a temporary glitch. Free WiFi access for iPhone owners (and the small percentage that hack) would be totally worth it. AT&T should consider offering this, if not free, for a small fee added to your bill and then give people passwords. __________________ The best hair salon in San Francisco

May 3, 2008, 03:18 PM	#21
sebastianlewis macrumors regular Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: San Francisco	Hmm, it really is kind of stupid to rely on the browser agent anyway, Apple should build it into the iPhone's software and offer a preference to automatically transfer from EDGE to AT&T's WiFi when possible.. hmm.. that's an interesting idea though: a user interface that allowed you to drag and drop different networks based on priority, your home network might be #1, Corporate WiFi network as #2, HSPA as #3 (when that version of the iPhone comes out), AT&T WiFi as #4 and EDGE as #5 maybe, and be able to do this with any WiFi network you have access to in addition to AT&T's (or the others) services. It shouldn't do this based on just availability either, but based on which is the fastest and most available at the time. Sebastian

May 3, 2008, 03:19 PM	#22
crees! macrumors 68000 Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Springfield, VA	I so can't wait till I get an iPhone. June just can't come soon enough. __________________ The only thing that seems to increase over the years is that nonsense multiplies. NOSOCIALISM NOBAMA

May 3, 2008, 03:30 PM	#23
iansilv macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jun 2007	Maybe they will ahve i work wihtout the phone number authentication

May 3, 2008, 04:01 PM	#25
Flowbee macrumors 68030 Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Alameda, CA	I recently bought my first Starbucks coffee in months because of the free iPhone wifi. On Monday, I guess I'll be going across the street to Peets again. __________________ Podophile.com >> Home of Nike+iPod hacks and FAQs.

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