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AT&T's Free Wi-Fi Hotspot Access for iPhones Finally Announced?

This seems to be a disturbing trend for AT&T -- the right hand has no idea what the left foot is doing, leaving customers, who'd otherwise be eager users, left to scratch their heads in confusion, wondering about the company's ability to make wise decisions.
 
something shady...

I am wondering if they are testing the waters to see if they can get way with charging iphoners for WIFI access. something is up.
 
Frustrating!!!!!!!

Just stopped in a McDs with my brand new 3G and no WiFi!!!!!

Oh well this phone is a blast.


Dave
 
zerotl said:
Was this always true at starbucks? The last time I was at a starbucks with my laptop it was asking for some type of tmobile id.
Click to expand...

Starbucks is migrating to AT&T for WiFi service. Some are switching sooner than others.

shawnce said:
3) Wifi can use less power while giving you better bandwidth.
Click to expand...

While there can be better bandwidth, I think it's more the lower latency that improves things most for WiFi use. Basically, a requested file returns quicker, allowing the iPhone to request another file. WiFi probably helps a lot more on sites with a lot of smaller files.


mkrishnan said:
The announcement posting was an error, again. Unbelievable. :rolleyes: AT&T has clarified indicating that they have no announcements at this time regarding iPhone Wifi service. (The Macrumors article has already been updated).

http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-9994170-94.html?tag=nefd.top
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I don't understand how AT&T can repeat the same mistake several times. I hope the news sites just ignore any further AT&T hotspot announcements.
 
I would be extremely happy if AT&T did this as I am moving to another city where there will be lots of AT&T WiFi spots so I could benefit from them :D
 
My Experience

So, I was super stoked when I heard about this this morning and headed off to my local Starbucks. Unsure of what to use as my password I called customer service who forwarded me to the wi-fi hotspot specialist. (I got the normal AT&T login screen, not the iPhone specific login). He didn't question why I was expecting to get free internet as an iPhone user and tried to help me login, which he was unable to do. He conceded that they had been "having trouble with some of the hot-spots" today, inferring lack of firmware at some of the locations. Maybe this is the cause of the rise and fall of the 4th AT&T Empire to the infamous, clueless employee who marked the release date on his Romulan calendar by mistake. This was at 1pm CNT time several hours after the denounced folly.
 
AT&T & T-Mobile

I also find it funny that both the AT&T and T-mobile wifi appear at my Starbucks, and after logging into the AT&T page you get a T-Mobile error page... Something's jacked up.
 
alexmarchuk said:
Yes, and that's the way it should be. There is no reason why AT&T would give you free Wi-Fi for your iPod touch.

iPod touch ≠ iPhone

That's why you have to pay for your updates, muahaha
Click to expand...

there is the PR that could result from offering a free service, AT&T has a contract to be the exclusive provider for the iphone, but when that runs out. And ipod touch owners are looking at the 6G i phone (future) theyll remember how nice AT&T was to think of them back when they werent even a customer. its like the mini boxs of cereal you get in the mail from time to time.
 
You think this is bad, you should see the blatant rip off prices of McDonalds Wifi here in Aus.

It's provided by Tel$tra and you need a Tel$tra account to use it
icon_rolleyes.gif
icon_rolleyes.gif
 
JeffDM said:
I don't understand how AT&T can repeat the same mistake several times. I hope the news sites just ignore any further AT&T hotspot announcements.
Click to expand...

It's surreal. Several major news sources have made fun of the gaffes, including, I think, the Times. If they had been sensible after the first three (?) times this happened, they would at least have added hot spot service to the iPhone 3G plan after people started complaining about the rate hike for the HSPA data package vs. the EDGE one, so that people could defend them, saying, oh, look, AT&T gave us WiFi.

And of course, I continue to have WiFi at Starbucks through the Starbucks / AT&T agreement to provide continuing services to T-Mobile customers after the handoff. :)
 
iPhone 3G and Starbucks wifi

I am in the Portland, OR area. When I get into Starbuck and try to connect to the ATT wifi it still ask for Login and Password. It doesn't seem to recognize that I have an iPhone and just need to type in my phone number.

Anyone with similar experience at Starbucks???
 
btcutter said:
I am in the Portland, OR area. When I get into Starbuck and try to connect to the ATT wifi it still ask for Login and Password. It doesn't seem to recognize that I have an iPhone and just need to type in my phone number.

Anyone with similar experience at Starbucks???
Click to expand...

Check out the online news for today - Per AT&T, for the second time, they released that article in error and free wifi is not available to iPhone customers
 
BTW, whether the free wifi works or not has nothing to do with the phone being a 3G.
 
This past Friday, I had a similar experience to the OP while waiting for a flight in Seattle. My iPhone "saw" ATT wifi...seemed to come from a coffee shop close by. Tried to connect but the connection stalled out. Five minutes later, no more ATT wifi.

Just something that made me go "hmmmm".
 
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