How to Get Free Wi-Fi at Starbucks

Ah, cappuccino and cybersurfing from the comfort of a cozy chair. What could be better. At Starbucks, you won't get your coffee for free, but it is possible to get wi-fi access at no charge. Here's how.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Starbucks has announced a new policy for highspeed internet access: "AT&T and Starbucks will offer reliable, secure, high speed wireless Internet service to more than 7,000 Starbucks locations throughout the U.S.—using any 802.11x enabled device...The AT&T Wi-Fi rollout will begin in Spring 2008, and is expected to be complete by the end of 2008." (see resource links, below, for the full announcement on Starbucks' website).
2. There's a catch. You have to have a Starbucks card, and use it every now and then, in order to get free wi-fi access. "When you register your Starbucks Card and use it at least once a month, you'll receive two consecutive hours a day of complimentary Wi-Fi..."
3. Alternatively, if you're one of AT&T's 12 million DSL customers, you will also have free access to wi-fi at Starbucks
4. If neither of these apply, and you simply can't bring yourself to get a Starbucks card (or to switch your DSL to AT&T) then access will cost you. But Starbucks is offering a 2-hour rate of $3.99, which beats the old rates they used to charge.
5. Check with your favorite Starbucks to see when these new wi-fi arrangements go into effect.