If you are among the legion of annoyed laptop toters who felt that the price to use Tmobile wifi at Starbucks was outrageous – particularly when there are so many coffee shops offering free wifi (and better coffee) these days – well, apparently Starbucks agrees with you.
Because Starbucks and AT&T have just announced that Starbucks has jumped ship from Tmobile, and is now going to be offering AT&T wifi in its 7000 locations.
This is not only a boon for Starbucks and AT&T, but also for Starbucks customers who want to avail themselves of wifi while sipping their Uber Grande Triple Half-Caff No Sugar Sludgeacinos.
Rather than paying T-mobile’s exorbitant rates ($6.00 hour, $10.00 per day, or $40.00 per month), Starbucks customers wishing to use the AT&T wifi will pay only $3.99 for 2 hours, or $19.99 for a month.
Better yet, if you have a Starbucks card – their credit-card sized plastic cards that you can pre-load with money – and if you load it with at least $5.00, and use it just once a month (i.e. at least once a month), the AT&T wifi access is free.
The Internet Patrol is completely free, and reader-supported. Your tips via CashApp, Venmo, or Paypal are appreciated! Receipts will come from ISIPP.
Now that’s a heck of a deal!
Said Chris Bruzzo, CTO of Starbucks, “This is what our customers have been waiting for – free Starbucks-quality Wi-Fi. Through our new partnership with AT&T, we also welcome their millions of current customers who can now come in and enjoy free Wi-Fi as part of their daily Starbucks Experience.”
Bruzzo is referring to the fact that existing AT&T DSL, Fiber, and Business Remote Access customers will be able to use the AT&T wifi at Starbucks at no additional charge, as part of their package.
“People want to stay connected to their world 24/7, and Wi-Fi hot spots, broadband and wireless make that mobility possiblem,” explained Rick Welday, AT&T’s Consumer Division CMO. “Laptops and smartphones give us the online mobility we crave, and now millions of AT&T and Starbucks customers will get Internet access free from the comfort of their neighborhood Starbucks.”
The switch to AT&T at Starbucks locations will take place on a market-by-market basis, beginning this spring.
The Internet Patrol is completely free, and reader-supported. Your tips via CashApp, Venmo, or Paypal are appreciated! Receipts will come from ISIPP.