News
AT&T page lists free Wi-Fi for iPhone users (again) [updated]
A new page found on AT&T’s website suggests the company may finally be ready to begin offering free Wi-Fi access to iPhone users at its hotspots nationwide. AT&T’s Wi-Fi Access page now states, “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.” The company’s iPhone 3G service plan page has yet to be updated with a mention of the service. In April, free Wi-Fi access was briefly offered to iPhone users at a select number of AT&T hotspots, but the service was quickly removed, with no announcement from the company. In May, the company added text to its iPhone web site stating that free Wi-Fi access was now part of all iPhone service plans, only to remove it shortly thereafter. AT&T has yet to make an official announcement regarding the service.
Update: Following the publication of this news, AT&T removed the page from its website. A screenshot of the original text appears below.
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1
Will this also apply to international visitors or will this service only apply to AT&T;national customers? If its open to all users of an iPhone it will certainly help limit those crippling data roaming charges!
Posted by Tim Banting on July 18, 2008 at 8:27 AM (PDT)
2
I raises the question: Can I use my iPod Touch with my (non-iPhone) ATT cel number? Can ATT tell the difference?
Posted by Avalon0387 on July 18, 2008 at 9:24 AM (PDT)
3
That URL to the current AT&T;page just redirects to a sitemap for wireless.att.com when I try it. So does that means the free WiFi is rescinded again?
Posted by David Orgel on July 18, 2008 at 9:51 AM (PDT)
4
Given the very spotty nature of AT&T;’s current 3G coverage, it would be helpful for them to make good on this offer. It would go a long way to mitigate the understandable customer dissatisfaction, so they should quit screwing around with the website teases and deliver.
Posted by chashulme in Southern California on July 18, 2008 at 10:57 AM (PDT)
5
AT&T;’s handling of this free wifi issue has been almost comical. How many times can they blame it on someone publishing a posting that is not correct? Just offer it or don’t, it’s that easy!
Posted by TosaDeac on July 18, 2008 at 11:05 AM (PDT)
6
I’m with you TosaDeac, of all things to screw up over and over! It’s not like it’s some minor tweak to some obscure service, this gets serious press each time it starts and then inevitably stops. This probably isn’t the forum for this, but… Imagine an add-on protocol or app that you could run on your home network that AT&T;customers could use their own home network as a wi-fi hotspot for iPhones! Not their own iPhones, but their neighbors or anyone nearby. It could allow control over how much bandwidth gets used and would add some level of protection to the owner in the event of illegal activity. Oh yeah, neverming, the ISP’s would never allow it. There’s no money in giving stuff away....
Posted by Robert on July 19, 2008 at 9:18 AM (PDT)
7
well idk but I have AT&T;for home service too and I just login with my AT&T;email address and it allows me free email service and I have been using it for about a month now
Posted by dhruv on July 19, 2008 at 9:12 PM (PDT)
8
Posted by Avalon0387 on July 18, 2008 at 9:24 AM (PDT)
Not likely. Usually, when a cell company offers wifi access points, hte login credentials are your AT&T;phone number. It will reject non-AT7t ones. Not sure for certain, but that is usually how it works.
Posted by Dale Reeck on July 20, 2008 at 7:45 PM (PDT)