AT&T to offer Wi-Fi at area Starbucks

Beginning in spring, with full implementation complete by the end of the year, AT&T will provide a mix of paid and free Wi-Fi options:

• Starbucks cardholders will have up to two free hours of service per day;

• AT&T broadband and AT&T Universe Internet customers will have unlimited free access;

• AT&T’s remote-access business customers will be able to choose from flat-rate unlimited-access plans; and

• Other Starbucks customers will be able to purchase two-hour sessions for $3.99 or monthly memberships for $19.99.

In Springfield, Starbucks stores at 631 S. Glenstone Ave., 433 W. Sunshine St. and 3628 S. Campbell Ave. will pick up the new service.

The service will eventually expand to include AT&T’s wireless customers, and Starbucks’ 100,000 U.S. partners, including companies such as iTunes, will receive free AT&T Wi-Fi accounts as well. AT&T also is providing Starbucks with an enterprise-class network with increased bandwidth and redundancy to enable more business applications.

AT&T’s partnership with Starbucks will expand its Wi-Fi U.S. network by more than 70 percent.