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AT&T Finally Announces Free Wi-Fi For iPhone Users [Update: False Alarm]

Submitted by Edward Kirk on July 17, 2008 - 10:54pm.
in

Fantastic news from a friend with sharp eyes. AT&T has finally done something great for iPhone owners. No, they're not unlocking the iPhone. They're not giving it away for free, although it does involve "free". They have finally announced that they'll be rolling out free access to AT&T Wi-Fi hotspots for all iPhone users. Yarly. Read on for the details.

The document detailing the rollout reads:

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.

The announcement now gives free access to Wi-Fi at all of AT&T's over 17,000 Wi-Fi hotspots across the nation, including:

  • 12 Airports
  • 31 Hotels
  • 23 Universities
  • 18 Convention Centers
  • 5 Sports Centers
  • 8,000 + Restaurants
  • 700 + Bookstores
  • 50 + Supermarkets

Those who haven't been following the story may be confused by my enthusiasm. Rumors that AT&T would start offering free Wi-Fi for iPhone users began back in April. Since then, they had announced it, disabled it, brought it back, taken it away again, and then told us not to keep our hopes up. Finally, three months since this all began, they have officially announced it.

We're hoping that it's not a joke, as AT&T loves to play silly games with iPhone users.

A gigantic thanks to Denis!

EDIT: Forumite kellygeorge has posted a good point in the comments. AT&T's deal is for AT&T customers only. My sincerest apologies for any misunderstandings.

Update: Sorry everyone, Looks like it really was too good to be true. Dan Feldstein, a local AT&T spokesperson has just told Chron.com that once again,he says that the page was posted mistakenly, and that it would be removed (again!), which it has.

I'm getting really fed up with AT&T's shenanigans. It seems like they're still planning to eventually offer it, but how much longer will we have to wait?

Yes! Partaaay

Submitted by warlock on July 17, 2008 - 11:30pm.
Finally, ATT has come to their senses. This will be great. I'm really happy now!!! Yaay. Thx Ed!!

for ATT customers

Submitted by kellygeorge on July 17, 2008 - 11:48pm.
I know this should go without saying, but remember that the free WIfI isn't for "all iPhone users" but for all legitimate iphone users, on the ATT network. You have to log on to the network with your phone number, so nuts to us unlocked users!

Submitted by xxx on July 17, 2008 - 11:49pm.
Thanks!

bastards.

How about free 200 text messages.

Makes Sense

Submitted by Unregistered (not verified) on July 17, 2008 - 11:51pm.
Free WiFi takes the load off their 3G cell phone network.

Wth

Submitted by Unregistered (not verified) on July 18, 2008 - 12:30am.
I try two hot spots and didn't work.

Submitted by Humble Rat on July 18, 2008 - 1:20am.
Is AT&T doing this to relieve some of the pressure from their 3G network?

Submitted by baby-iphone.com (not verified) on July 18, 2008 - 1:52am.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Humble Rat View Post
Is AT&T doing this to relieve some of the pressure from their 3G network?
exactly my thoughts they dont want to spend the money to upgrade there network so this is obviously the cheaper solution o well i'll take the free(well somewhat free im still paying the extra for my data/text plan so its not really as free as you think) wifi!

Submitted by Unregistered (not verified) on July 18, 2008 - 2:57am.
It doesnt say how exactly to access free wifi. will it possibly detect your phone?

i will have to try tommorow.

bastards

Submitted by Unregistered (not verified) on July 18, 2008 - 8:21am.
[quote=xxx;26065]Thanks!

bastards.

Bastards on steroids

How about free 200 text messages.[/QUOTE

iPhone or iPhone Customers?

Submitted by Unregistered (not verified) on July 18, 2008 - 8:34am.
The At&t site says, "Whether you browse from your laptop, phone, or device AT&T is committed to enhancing your experience by providing powerful broadband speeds. This allows for fast and easy downloads of your favorite music, streaming videos, games, and more." Does this mean that the wifi is for free on my phone or for free for me (i.e. that I can use my laptop on the network when at Starbucks, which is my second office)?

Wi-fi..... I'm Skeptical.

Submitted by Unregistered (not verified) on July 18, 2008 - 8:39am.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Unregistered View Post
I try two hot spots and didn't work.
I'm curious of how it will work exactly... Does this mean that i can only get on from my iphone or because i'm an iphone user can i access it with my laptop too. I'm seeing a fewing things on the sight which is asking for laptop connect devices but non thats saying. you enter your phone number and a password of somewhat .. then you can log in.

Submitted by steve101 on July 18, 2008 - 8:49am.
only problem is that some iPhones can't connect to Starbucks at&t wifi due to javascript issues in redirecting old t-mobile routers to the at&t login page.
...same with Macs and Safari or Firefox.

Submitted by Stephen007 on July 18, 2008 - 8:49am.
It's so ironic because with my old EDGE iPhone I would have been so excited about this news. These hotsports would have supplemented my overall crappy data connections all over town. Since I've gotten my new 3G iPhone I have gotten great connections virtually everywhere and at full broadband type speeds. I actually turned off the option so it doesn't bother asking me to join wifi networks all the time.

Submitted by Unregistered (not verified) on July 18, 2008 - 9:19am.
a great iphone widget would be an att wifi locater. get my location from the gps and then tell me where the nearest wifi is.

Submitted by Unregistered (not verified) on July 18, 2008 - 9:24am.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Stephen007 View Post
It's so ironic because with my old EDGE iPhone I would have been so excited about this news. These hotsports would have supplemented my overall crappy data connections all over town. Since I've gotten my new 3G iPhone I have gotten great connections virtually everywhere and at full broadband type speeds. I actually turned off the option so it doesn't bother asking me to join wifi networks all the time.
Show off!!

Page AGAIN posted in error

Submitted by Dwight Silverman (not verified) on July 18, 2008 - 10:34am.
This time, too, the announcement page was posted in error.

http://blogs.chron.com/techblog/arch..._for_no_1.html

Boy who cried wolf

Submitted by Stephen007 on July 18, 2008 - 11:47am.
This has become an utter joke. They have got to get tighter controls on what gets posted to their website.

umm ok

Submitted by Unregistered (not verified) on July 18, 2008 - 1:49pm.
is there such a lack of free wifi spots that people get all excited over this announcement? Practically every coffee shop, fast food joint and bookstore around me has free wifi.

Submitted by Unregistered (not verified) on July 18, 2008 - 4:11pm.
There is evidence of the article still in the search results for "iphone wifi starbucks" on AT&T's website: http://www.wireless.att.com/search?b...rbucks&x=0&y=0

Submitted by Kevin Dunahee on July 18, 2008 - 8:25pm.
For the love of Steve, make up your freakin' minds already. This roller coaster is getting old.

Oh, and amen to our unregistered friend who suggests 200 free text messages.

Submitted by Unregistered (not verified) on July 21, 2008 - 2:30am.
Not sure if this is the same thing but the Starbucks in Hollywood and LA area have had this running for a few months. I can log in either as Tmobile or as an ATT customer on the Starbucks hotspot. It even works if I log in with my home DSL account info. Its been pretty great so far.