Ads by TechWords

See your link here
Receive the latest technology news and information.
Mobile/Wireless Computing
Computerworld Daily News (First Look and Wrap-Up)
Computerworld Blogs Newsletter
The Weekly Top 10
Cloud Computing
View all newsletters




Privacy Policy
 

AT&T yanks info on free iPhone Wi-Fi from site

On-again free hot spot access now off again

May 8, 2008 12:00 PM ET

Active Comments
Dave says: This whole fiasco is making AT&T look like a collection of incompetent nitwits. Of course, we should remember that this...
kevin gao says: that at&t can do this so flippantly without solid or substantial justification. i'm looking fw to seeing what happens in...


Computerworld - Only hours after posting information that indicated iPhone owners would receive free access to AT&T's public wireless hot spots, the company pulled all references to the service from its Web site.

By 5 p.m. EDT Thursday, the page dedicated to AT&T's subscriber plans for Apple's iPhone had been stripped of all mention of Wi-Fi hot spot access.

Earlier in the day, the AT&T site noted that "access to AT&T Wi-Fi hot spots" was included in all iPhone subscriber plans, with additional details that spelled out the extent of that access. "Unlimited Data (e-mail and Web), 200 SMS text messages and access to AT&T's more than 17,000 Wi-Fi hot spots, including Starbucks* all for use in the U.S. *Wi-Fi available at U.S. company operated Starbucks locations equipped with a hot spot [emphasis added]."

Hours later, all of that Wi-Fi info had been scrubbed from the site.

An AT&T customer service representative was unable to explain the change during a 15-minute telephone conversation, during which he repeatedly left the line to query his manager.

The removal of references to free Wi-Fi is sure to confuse iPhone users and potential customers even more. On May 1, iPhone users discovered that they could use AT&T's wireless access points in Starbucks coffee shops and other locations, including some Barnes & Noble bookstores, by entering their iPhone telephone number.

Within 24 hours, however, AT&T had turned off the free access; users reported that they were being asked to enter a username and password to access hot spots they had used for free the day before.

Related Blog:

Mike Elgan: Free Wi-Fi trickling down to iPhones

Apple iPhone users have discovered free Wi-Fi access at Starbucks and other AT&T hotspots. [read more]

Earlier today, AT&T spokesman Mark Siegel issued a blanket "no comment" when asked about the Wi-Fi information on his company's iPhone page.

As Apple's exclusive network partner in the U.S., AT&T handles all iPhone accounts and shares subscriber revenues with the computer and consumer electronics maker.

Read more about mobile and wireless in Computerworld's Mobile and Wireless Knowledge Center.



Jump to comments

AT&T

Additional Resources

Microsoft
Here are some of the key reasons why you would want to run Unified Access Gateway with DirectAccess.
Microsoft
Review how one energy firm tightened protection and simplified IT work using business-ready security solutions.
Sybase
In this white paper, IDC analyzes the role of next-generation mobile enterprise platforms as organizations seek a more strategic deployment of mobile solutions.

Learn the important issues you must consider before starting your next mobility initiative. Get your mobility white paper from IDC now, compliments of Sybase.

What People Are Saying

White Papers & Webcasts

Accelerating Your Mobile Workers: Controlling the Uncontrollable
Today's workforce is truly mobile. Unlike the managed environment of the office LAN, remote users face many challenges to being productive while out...

eGuide: Enterprise Security
Smart Security Strategies for 2010. Read now!  

Managing Laptops Outside the Office
Learn how you can reduce costs by tracking mobile computers no matter where they are located.

Mobile U Webinar
Watch Now!

The New Mobile Order
Download Now  

4G Ahead Video Program
Uncover the features and benefits of the two leading 4G technologies for enterprises considering future deployment.

WAN Application Delivery for Executives
Learn how to simplify server and application administration without creating performance problems for distributed users.  

Horror stories: Managing IT Across Multiple Locations
How one extra sharp IT manager eliminates daily agony, hassle and repetition.


IT Jobs