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Starbucks announced that starting July 1 it will begin offering unlimited free Wi-Fi. The best part is that no registration is required.
At Starbucks, we love to give you more of what you’ve asked for. So soon you’ll be able to enjoy Wi-Fi at Starbucks in a way that goes beyond what we currently offer. Starting July 1, you’ll be able to enjoy free, one-click, unlimited Wi-Fi at all company-operated Starbucks stores in the United States.
Currently if you want access to the free Wi-Fi at Starbucks, you have to have a Starbucks card. Even with a card you only get up to two continuous hours of free Wi-Fi. You don’t have to keep a balance on the Starbucks Card, but do have to log in with your username and password to use the internet. Starbuck’s new free one click Wi-FI access will be easier to use.
Not only will you be able to access the internet at Starbucks, you will have access to some paid sites.
In addition to the new free Wi-Fi program, Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz told Wired’s Chris Anderson that the company is also planning on rolling out a new Starbucks Digital Network in partnership with Yahoo later this fall. This network, which will only be accessible in U.S. company-operated stores, will offers customers free and unrestricted access to paid sites and services like WSJ.com and other content providers on their phones, tablets or laptops. via Mashable
Being able to access the internet when out of the office is becoming a requirement of real estate professionals. Almost all of the real estate agents and appraisers I know have smartphones and access email while out of the office. But sometimes you need to access the internet for more than email.
How do you find free Wi-Fi hotspots?
Besides Starbucks, both McDonald’s and Panera Bread offer free Wi-Fi access.
There are several websites that list free hotspots if there isn’t a McDonald’s or Starbucks close.
There are also numerous iPhone apps to help you find free and paid Wi-Fi hotspots. JiWire’s free Wi-Fi finder has a mobile version that can find free hotspots by zip codes. Access the mobile site @ iphone.jiwire.com
Do you use Wi-Fi hotspots when you are out of the office?
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It’s about time.
Hi Bryan, thank you for the update! It’s been my opinion all along with Starbucks (S.B.) Wi-Fi should be free like many others than have offered free wi-fi for years now. As much as you have to pay for their brand, it should be free. The famous Louisiana coffee blend, CC’s or Community Coffee, has numerous coffee shops just like S.B.’s around Town and across the State and has offered free wi-fi since wi-fi became available. And, when S.B.s was having financial trouble recently, they closed 8 local stores while CC’s Coffee House expanded locations. CC’s is my favorite hangout to spend 2-3 hours just reading and catching up online. Before the iPhone, I used to pull up to the local CC’s and use their free Wi-Fi to send in a report or final inspection or photos. Botton Line: If I’m going to pay $3 to $4 for a coffee, I expect free Wi-Fi and free Wi-Fi shouldn’t be that big of a deal in 2010 in the internet age. If you want frequent patronage, free Wi-Fi is a low cost way to gain customers. Starbucks was very slow to catch on to the success of other coffee outlets offering free Wi-Fi. Just my opinion. Bill
Ryan, I agree!
Bill, I never did understand why Starbucks only gave 2 free hours of internet usage a day. I would image that if you spend more than 2 hours there you would be buying more than 1 coffee. CC’s sounds great, too bad there are no locations close to me.
It is also interesting that not only is the internet free at Starbucks but they also give access to paid sites like WSJ.com, this might be a great way to entice more people to visit the store.
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