For a limited time McDonald's is offering free Wi-Fi
in the southern California fire areas. Free is a very good
price.

There's been some reports that it is more widespread than that, is intended
to be long term, and that Starbucks may be considering following suite.

--
Sven
MS MVP Mobile Devices
"Woody" <BlackHole@oblivion.net> wrote in message
news:OCoMgTpGIHA.2100@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
> For a limited time McDonald's is offering free Wi-Fi
> in the southern California fire areas. Free is a very good
> price.
>
>

On Mon, 29 Oct 2007 22:42:37 -0600, "Sven" <sejohannsen********.com>
wrote:

>There's been some reports that it is more widespread than that, is intended
>to be long term, and that Starbucks may be considering following suite.

The original offering was free, at least in our region (western
Washington State). The closest one to me offering free wifi is 35 miles
away. I have used it about once a month. Will check it again next
week. None of my local McD's offer wifi but then again this area isn't
very wired. Still lots of folks without Internet, period.

As far as Starbucks go...their hookup with T-Mobile is dismal to say the
least. T-Mobile charges $30.00/mo, $10.00/day or $6.00/hr for a
T-Mobile Hotspot account. Absolutely ridiculous charges especially
given that few people spend that much time actually in a Starbuck's
store and the fact that T-Mobile coverage is probably the worst of all
carriers unless you happen to be in a major metro area.

At 30 Oct 2007 06:04:34 -0700 Pegleg wrote:

> As far as Starbucks go...their hookup with T-Mobile is dismal to
> say the least. T-Mobile charges $30.00/mo, $10.00/day or $6.00/hr
> for a T-Mobile Hotspot account. Absolutely ridiculous charges
> especially given that few people spend that much time actually
> in a Starbuck's store

T-Mo operates Hotspots in Kinko's stores, Barnes and Nobles, many airports,
etc. It not just at your local Starbucks.

> and the fact that T-Mobile coverage is probably the worst of all
> carriers unless you happen to be in a major metro area.


T-Mo's Wi-Fi service doesn't use their cellular service, so I'm not sure
how their cellular coverage has anything to do with whether or not you
think the Hotspots is a good deal.

(Unless you're referring to the fact that they now give the Hotspots
service for free to their cellular customers with internet data plans.)

On Tue, 30 Oct 2007 13:36:41 -0600, Todd Allcock
<elecconnec@AmericaOnLine.com> wrote:

>T-Mo operates Hotspots in Kinko's stores, Barnes and Nobles, many airports,
>etc. It not just at your local Starbucks.

>T-Mo's Wi-Fi service doesn't use their cellular service, so I'm not sure
>how their cellular coverage has anything to do with whether or not you
>think the Hotspots is a good deal.

Good point Todd...guess I was brain dead on that one! Guess if you
frequent those places a lot it might be worth it.

Are they doing that? I am paying for both Data and Hotspot, but only $30 for
unlimited both, and the Hotspot is of course usable on any WiFi device I
have. I signed up for $20 unlimited data, and could get Hotspot for $10
more. The bill says $15 and $15 though.

--
Sven
MS MVP Mobile Devices
"Todd Allcock" <elecconnec@AmericaOnLine.com> wrote in message
news:fg81hj$el6$1@aioe.org...
>
> (Unless you're referring to the fact that they now give the Hotspots
> service for free to their cellular customers with internet data plans.)
>
>

At 30 Oct 2007 22:50:59 -0600 Sven wrote:
> Are they doing that? I am paying for both Data and Hotspot,
> but only $30 for unlimited both, and the Hotspot is of course
> usable on any WiFi device I have. I signed up for $20 unlimited
> data, and could get Hotspot for $10 more. The bill says $15 and $15
> though.


Yes, the new "Total Internet Plan" is $19.99 for both. Of course they
didn't bother telling existing customers about it! Just call customer
service and ask for it.

Hmm thanks, the Total Internet plan is what I believe I got. No ill will
here, nobody notifies you if the new price is lower.

--
Sven
MS MVP Mobile Devices
"Todd Allcock" <elecconnec@AmericaOnLine.com> wrote in message
news:fgdl1u$g25$2@aioe.org...
> At 30 Oct 2007 22:50:59 -0600 Sven wrote:
>> Are they doing that? I am paying for both Data and Hotspot,
>> but only $30 for unlimited both, and the Hotspot is of course
>> usable on any WiFi device I have. I signed up for $20 unlimited
>> data, and could get Hotspot for $10 more. The bill says $15 and $15
>> though.
>
>
> Yes, the new "Total Internet Plan" is $19.99 for both. Of course they
> didn't bother telling existing customers about it! Just call customer
> service and ask for it.
>
>