ATT offering FREE Wi-Fi for iPhones at thousands of hotspots?

[996GT2]

I just got a text message on my iPhone telling me about this; has anyone else?

From here

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.

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

 

[S Freud]

I got the same message. Does it just mean you get a faster connection? I wouldn't see any other benefit.

 

[Muadib]

I didn't get the text, but I'm with S Freud. Unless these hotspots are in areas where you get no cell signal, I'll never use this.

 

[DivideBYZero]

I guess it's a shortcut to greater coverage.

 

[bigrash]

I tried it at one of the Starbucks location last night and it worked. It's great to have free wifi.

By the way, it's available to certain blackberry owners also: link

 

[boomhower]

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
I guess it's a shortcut to greater coverage.

No, it is a cop out for crappy coverage. It needs to be expanded badly There 3G coverage flat sucks which is why I am now on Sprint. Yeah the customer service sucks and the phone selection isn't as good(but just got a lot better with the Diamond and Pro) but it is worth the EVDO coverage, plus SERO rocks.

 

[DivideBYZero]

Originally posted by: boomhower

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
I guess it's a shortcut to greater coverage.

No, it is a cop out for crappy coverage. It needs to be expanded badly There 3G coverage flat sucks which is why I am now on Sprint. Yeah the customer service sucks and the phone selection isn't as good(but just got a lot better with the Diamond and Pro) but it is worth the EVDO coverage, plus SERO rocks.

Umm, greater as in more.

 

[996GT2]

For all the people out there running unlocked iPhones (there are a lot) and not using the EDGE/3G plan, this is a very big bonus...

 

[dmw16]

Originally posted by: S Freud
I got the same message. Does it just mean you get a faster connection? I wouldn't see any other benefit.

iTunes access.

You can't get on iTunes via 3G.

 

[aatf510]

AT&T will also get a slight relief on their 3G network bandwidth when their iPhone 3G users decide to sit down somewhere to put up some relatively heavier internet traffic for a period of time.