Starbucks to set WiFi free?

Mike Elgan from Computerworld seems to think so. He predicts that within a year, Starbucks will offer free WiFi access in an effort to counter similar offers by competitors like McDonald's. Wait, did I just compare those two companies? Yeesh.

Anyway, I tend to agree with Mike. In fact, I'd like to offer a transition plan to Starbucks for the next six months. When they run out of iTunes song cards, make up some WiFi cards. Every paying customer gets a WiFi card good for three concurrent days use of free wireless access. This ensures that you don't have to get hopped up on caffeine each and every day; you can cruise in the next day or the day after to just unwind and connect. Are Mike and I seeing the coffee cup half full here or half empty?

Comments

[cr0ft]

I think Starbucks is the Borg and that you have been assimilated. :P

If you're going to Starbucks and just hanging out and not even buying coffee anymore, you should really consider finding help for the sickness. ;)

[jotaere]

in PR all Starbucks offer free wifi plus u can plg ur comptrs. we even have office meetng in there. Same as Mc, taco maker, dennys, borders, plus a bunch of others

[Woodstock]

Starbucks really is the McDonalds of coffee, so why shouldn't one compare the two companies?

[Dave Zatz]

Can we accurately predict this without knowing the details of their contract with T-Mobile...?

[Mike]

Could this explain T-Mobile's decision to lower their total internet plan to 20 bucks?

[Techmender.com]

There are actually quite a few McDonald's that charge for wi-fi. I don't think the problem is Charging for wi-fi, I would easily pay $20 a month for wi-fi but that there are so many different services. I pay for T-Mobile total internet which gives me internet on my phone as well as access at Starbucks so I would not also pay to connect at McDonald's.