iPhone users get free Wi-Fi access from AT&T

Free Wi-Fi for Apple's iPhone users is finally available from AT&T.

After two false starts, this time the notice posted on AT&T's Web site is accurate. The company is indeed allowing all iPhone users to access its 17,000 Wi-Fi hot spots around the country for free.

Earlier this year, the company inadvertently published information on its Web site telling customers that they could access AT&T's hot spots for free. But this time it's true. I double-checked with AT&T's public relations team myself.

The free Wi-Fi will be available wherever AT&T offers a Wi-Fi hot spot, which includes several restaurant chains, airports, and Starbucks coffee shops.

iPhone subscribers supposedly received text messages on Wednesday alerting them to the new perk. But it appears that not everyone received the message. For example, I'm an iPhone user, and I didn't get a text message from AT&T, nor did a number of my CNET colleagues who also have iPhones. In fact, in my informal poll of the newsroom's iPhone users, not one person said they received this mysterious text message.

Mark Siegel, AT&T's spokesman, confirmed messages were sent to subscribers. But he had no explanation as to why none of the CNET people in my informal survey received this alert.

AT&T has already been offering free Wi-Fi to its broadband subscribers since last year. And in January it announced it would offer its LapTop Connect customers, who use a 3G wireless Aircard, free Wi-Fi access.

[close5828]

Is this for iPhone users to use on their iPhone-only, or are they able to use their Laptop on AT&T wifi as well?

[Perry_Clease]

I think that this is just for the iPhone and not a MacBook/NoteBook unless you have a separate WiFi service with AT&T. However as the story states, I have AT&T DSL service and as such have already been using their hotspots for some time.

[logicbus]

I got the text message today, but I don't think any of my coworkers with iPhones got it.

[Galaxy5]

I didn't get the text message.

[professionaladventurer]

I got the text message today, even though I keep telling ATT no to text me.

[Wintermind]

I got the text message while I at Starbucks. Glad they finally did this.

[jwissick]

No text here in San Jose.....

[kmcrawford]

I'm glad this finally happened... I frequent Starbucks often on the weekends to write software, yet have to leave after my 2 hours of free internet runs out. I also received my text message in South Florida today.

http://kendevelopment.blogspot.com

[tektaktyks]

no text here,brooklyn ny,but whats the point if they make me pay $35 a month for the 3g thing...?

[worldharmony]

How about iPod Touch users?

[timber2005]

What would be AT&T's Incentive to give iPod Touch users free wifi? You don't pay them monthly o.O.

[jrfields321]

I go my message just a few mins ago at 8:20pm. Thanks ATT!

[JohnBarbagallo]

http://www.wireless.att.com/learn/internet/accessing-wifi.jsp

It's true. Just follow the instructions.

[Marcia Boone]

My text message came up when I read email at 7:25 this morning. I don't have text messaging, but do get free ones from AT&T as well as Apple on my white iPhone.

[thefilebunch]

I got my text message in NYC.

[Blackjack_Joe]

I received the text message at 7:08PM PDT.

[bob1xxxx]

If you have dsl or U verse though att you get free basic wifi at all att hotspots (ie starbuck and Mcdonalds and others) honestly it great I tried it out the other day with my new asus eee pc 1000ha and it works great.

[ilovit21]

I received the notice on my iPhone. What is interesting is that you may be able to use your laptop as well since according to the instructions, all you need to do is enter your cell phone number at login. Has anyone tried this? I suppose ATT can detect if you are using an iPhone on their login site or something else.

[prozacmat]

considering this device was originally launched in the State, you guys have abysmal service providers. Here in the UK O2 have provided free wi-fi access up and down the country since the original launch. Their website clearly states: 'All tariffs include unlimited browsing on your iPhone, unlimited Wi-Fi access, visual voicemail and reduced roaming rates with our International Traveller Service and are subject to a minimum term contract of 18 months.' for a country our size O2 run 9,500 hotspots with their partners and now (if you're a British Telecom customer) you get an entire home (BT Fon) wi-fi network spanning the country. Basically adding another 10,000 to the capacity. Not bad for a nation of 60 million smaller than most states in America.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not America bashing, but your provider AT&T is fleecing you guys for a service that you should have had from day 1.

[Idyot]

IMO, AT&T is giving up a revenue center in order to deflect attention to the inadequacies of its 3G network. Now that Android is in the HTC phone, it is only a matter of time before Verizon and Sprint come out with "real" iPhone killers on CDMA. AT&T needs to build out its 3G network to be on par with Verizon and Sprint - well before its exclusive contract with Apple runs out. If AT&T does not get the job done, then for Apple to have the iPhone achieve critical mass I would expect Apple to release the iPhone to CDMA providers at the end of its contract with AT&T.

[wigmo]

I got the text message at 1:39 eastern, but haven't had a chance to try it out anywhere. As for fleecing of services, doesn't the UK government charge a TV tax? Talk about paying for something you should get for free.

[prozacmat]

We pay for quality and in most instances something that is regulated for the benefit to the fee payer allowing for accountability - something you are rather new to as a concept - you get what you pay for and thus we can dictate what we watch! Thats why we're the best in the field for Documentaries and Dramas. Unlike the US where your cable and satellite is full of commercials and 'infomercials' (that fraud of a politician the other day springs to mind) we have one of the most advanced mobile networks in the world - try watching BBC or CNN on your iPhone without free WiFi and let me know how you feel.

[kaibelf]

I got my message yesterday. It might be prudent to assume that they are sending blocks of messages at a time to have as little impact as possible on their services, but that's just speculation.

This is great news. I travel extensively (70 flights this year) and this will be a great convenience. However, I have not received any messages regarding this.