iPhone finally gets free WiFi access at AT&T hotspots
I’ve lost track of how many times it’s been reported that iPhones have free WiFi access at AT&T hotspots. However, I think this time it’s pretty official based on the text message that just magically appeared on my iPhone. The message is pretty clear and hitting the link of http://www.att.com/attwifi confirms it: free hotspot access at AT&T sites, which includes Starbucks locations.
There’s no mention of the iPod Touch and since AT&T doesn’t make a dime from the Touch, I have to wonder if it gets excluded from the deal.
Hey, you got your SMS before I got mine. Those bastards are discriminating based on alphabetical order I bet.
I was surprised when I got this message this morning since I use my iPhone as a GoPhone. No, I don’t think I will be eligible for free hotspot, but wonder how AT&T sent the message to my prepaid number which is different from the one I used when I was under postpaid contract plan. Can carriers send a group message to IMEI rather than a phone number?
Considering you have to enter a 10-digit telephone number to get a free SMS that will activate a Wi-Fi session good for 24 hours, I don’t think iPod touch users will be given free access as well.
All the details are on the following page:
http://www.wireless.att.com/learn/internet/accessing-wifi.jsp
I was at a pizzeria next to a Starbucks last night and noticed the new wifi login screen. Previously, I was able to connect without logging in. I’m guessing the new system with SMS authentication is meant to exclude iPod touch users.
I just got access with my iPhone in a SBUX.
this is good news. i wonder if the the user agent hack with firefox will still work?
@VictorE Probably not since login requires entering the phone number.
Here’s some more interesting news I found about the iPhone and AT&T http://www.telecommagazine.com/newsglobe/article.asp?HH_ID=AR_4546
I was just in a SB and my iphone connected both ATT and Tmobile without doing anything. Perhaps it isn’t yet fully implemented.
I just got an email letting me know that because I registered a SBUX prepaid card with ATT (the whole get 1 hour of free WiFi thingy) I am now eligible for extra goodness with ATT online shopping. $50 back on a new cell phone like the Blackberry Pearl 8110, be still my broken heart.
No text message, but had easy wifi access at SB.