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AT&T Announces Free Wi-Fi For iPhone Owners (For Real This Time)

Submitted by Michael Johnston on October 30, 2008 - 12:06am.
in

AT&T has finally announced that all iPhone owners will now have access to free Wi-Fi at any AT&T hotspot in the country. This news comes after several false alarms in which AT&T prematurely announced the deal and then quickly offered a retraction. The notification is coming via text-message which AT&T began sending out to iPhone owners today. The message reads:

"AT&T Free Msg: Your Apple iPhone now has free AT&T Wi-Fi access at
thousands of hotspots nationwide, including Starbucks*. For info visit
www.att.com/attwifi"

AT&T's current hotspot offering includes over 17,000 locations, which include Starbucks coffee shops. From the site:

AT&T knows Wi-Fi is hot, and FREE Wi-Fi is even hotter. Which is why FREE AT&T Wi-Fi access is now available for Apple iPhone at thousands of hotspots nationwide, including Starbucks*. Users can relax and access music, email and web browsing services with their favorite blend in hand from the comfort of their nearest location. For information visit www.att.com/attwifi.

Locations include:

  • Airports

  • Hotels
  • Universities
  • Convention Centers
  • Sports Centers
  • Starbucks locations
  • Restaurants
  • Bookstores
  • Supermarkets

Thanks Sean!

Submitted by Stephen007 on October 30, 2008 - 9:19am.
Shame you can't just hop onto the wifi with no strings attached but I suppose they want to be able to really verify that you are an iPhone user and not just someone that knows an iPhone number you can pop into the text box.

Quote:
iPhone users, get started with Wi-Fi

- Activate Wi-Fi from the settings icon on your iPhone
- Select "attwifi" from the list of available networks
- Enter your 10-digit mobile number and check the box to agree to the Acceptable Use Policy. Tap 'continue'
- You will receive a text message from AT&T with a secure link to the AT&T Wi-Fi hotspot. You will not be charged for the text message.
- The SMS link will only be valid for 24 hours at the location it was requested. Another request must be submitted when using another hotspot location.
- Open the text message and tap on the link for 24-hour access to the AT&T Wi-Fi hotspot

to much hassle

Submitted by madscientest on October 30, 2008 - 11:49am.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Stephen007 View Post
Shame you can't just hop onto the wifi with no strings attached but I suppose they want to be able to really verify that you are an iPhone user and not just someone that knows an iPhone number you can pop into the text box.
this is a shame how cumbersome they make it. it should auto detect your iphone and auto connect. I will not use this, especially at starbucks! AH what over priced coffee that crap is. i will stick to the edge network cause it works without having to jump thru hoops. and its not really that slow.

oh i also like when they refer it as "web browsing services with their favorite blend in hand from the comfort of their nearest location" LAME

Works like a charm!

Submitted by warlock on October 30, 2008 - 5:19pm.

Easy Wi-Fi is the answer!

Submitted by tracym1471 on November 7, 2008 - 12:58am.
I thought it was a huge pain having to enter your phone number and wait for a text back each time I wanted to use my iPhone at Starbucks!

I came across an app called Easy Wi-Fi. It was just updated for AT&T hotspots and it rocks!

Once it is set up all you do is start the app and click the connect button. After a second you are connected! No texts and no entering your phone number time after time!

It's 1.99 and well worth it if you visit Starbucks as much as I do!

Easy WiFi

I checked it out.

Submitted by Bernie on November 7, 2008 - 8:44pm.
I live so far in the sticks that if they offer WiFi ......... no log in is required. I guess folks around here would just be a pain in the butt asking how to log in all the time.