Update: May 7, 2008 - AT&T officially promises free WiFi access
AT&T upgrades 3G network and takes over Starbucks Wi-Fi
Author: Steve Stroh
EXCERPT: AT&T is deploying “3G” wireless HSxPA (High Speed Packet Access)….by EOY 2008, AT&T will have HSxPA capability in 350 US cities, including the “top” 100 US cities. And, as a final nod to the inanity of AT&T wireless customers not being able to (without paying a usage fee) use their iPhones, in Wi-Fi mode, at AT&T Wi-Fi HotSpots, comes this terse teaser: “AT&T will soon extend the benefits of Wi-Fi at Starbucks to its wireless customers.”
If this plays out the least bit logically, the real winners of these two announcements will be users of the “Version 2” iPhone, expected to debut sometime this year, that will be able to use the AT&T “3G” / HSxPA network and then “roam into” Starbucks for an even “higher bandwidth fix” for downloading big media files onto their iPhone along with their caffeine jolt, all for no additional charge and a seamless experience.
