AT&T gives free WiFi to DSL subs, but not to iPhone users

At 05 Jul 2007 22:44:40 +0000 DTC wrote:
> From the www.fiercebroadbandwireless.com website
>
> [quote]
>
> Connections at AT&T WiFi hot spots for non-subscribers run $7.99 per
> day. But iPhone users are left out of the fray, despite the fact that
> the device supports both EDGE and WiFi. It appears AT&T wants to de-
> emphasize the WiFi aspect

I hate intentionally confusing "reporting" for the sake of
sensationalizing. The article is trying to imply that AT&R has somehow
crippled the Wi-Fi in iPhone to prevent it from connecting to hotspots it
should be able to connect to, but in reality, it means that AT&T DSL
(landline) customers get free wi-fi "roaming" on AT&T's Wi-Fi hotspot
network, but AT&T cellular customers do not.

And the point? AT&T doesn't "owe" it's wireless customers free wi-fi,
and I suspect that any AT&T DSL customer who also owns an iPhone will
have no trouble logging in.

> (even though Apple CEO Steve Jobs emphasized
> the WiFi solution when asked about the drawback of supporting the
> slower EDGE network) given the fact that the carrier has disabled the
> WiFi capability in a host of other devices.

What "host of other devices"- they've carried at least two others in the
past year (8125 and 8525.) The 2125 lacked Wi-Fi, but that was likely a
cost-saving issue, since the wi-fi-capable step-up model, the 8125, was
introduced simultaneously.

> The view of most carriers
> is that WiFi will cannibalize their mobile businesses.

Tell that to T-Mobile, who has operated a Hotspot network for years, and
even recently added a $10 VoIP add-on plan that allows unlimited calling
through your home/work wi-fi and all domestic T-Mo Hotspots.




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On Thu, 05 Jul 2007 17:43:00 -0700, Kurt <labolide.TakeThisOut@spacegmail.com>
wrote:

>In article <sveji.4085$rR.305@newsread2.news.pas.earthlink.net>,
> DTC <no_spam.TakeThisOut@move_along_folks.foob> wrote:
>
>> From the www.fiercebroadbandwireless.com website
>>
>> [quote]
>> AT&T announced that subscribers to its highest-speed DSL services will have
>> free access to its WiFi hotspots throughout the country. Subscribers who
>> get the company's Pro, Elite and FastAccess can use any of the company's
>> 10,000 hotspots located in airports, coffee shops, McDonald's restaurants
>> and Barnes & Noble bookstores for free. Those with lower tier services can
>> add unlimited WiFi access for $1.99 per month.
>>
>> Connections at AT&T WiFi hot spots for non-subscribers run $7.99 per day.
>> But iPhone users are left out of the fray, despite the fact that the device
>> supports both EDGE and WiFi. It appears AT&T wants to de-emphasize the WiFi
>> aspect (even though Apple CEO Steve Jobs emphasized the WiFi solution when
>> asked about the drawback of supporting the slower EDGE network) given the
>> fact that the carrier has disabled the WiFi capability in a host of other
>> devices. The view of most carriers is that WiFi will cannibalize their
>> mobile businesses.
>
>I think this will come back and bite ATT in the butt. ATT won't do
>anything, but if Apple gets enough complaints, they'll get ATT to do the
>right thing.
>This is why it's so great to have Apple as a player - they have the
>clout.


I've seen nothing other than your post to say that dsl subscribers
with iPhone couldnt use AT&T wifi .

In article <od4r839seiqrkbepc64judkk1lguv2dk2v.TakeThisOut@4ax.com>,
karlkrandall.TakeThisOut@sbcglobal.net wrote:

> On Thu, 05 Jul 2007 17:43:00 -0700, Kurt <labolide.TakeThisOut@spacegmail.com>
> wrote:
>
> >In article <sveji.4085$rR.305@newsread2.news.pas.earthlink.net>,
> > DTC <no_spam.TakeThisOut@move_along_folks.foob> wrote:
> >
> >> From the www.fiercebroadbandwireless.com website
> >>
> >> [quote]
> >> AT&T announced that subscribers to its highest-speed DSL services will
> >> have
> >> free access to its WiFi hotspots throughout the country. Subscribers who
> >> get the company's Pro, Elite and FastAccess can use any of the company's
> >> 10,000 hotspots located in airports, coffee shops, McDonald's restaurants
> >> and Barnes & Noble bookstores for free. Those with lower tier services can
> >> add unlimited WiFi access for $1.99 per month.
> >>
> >> Connections at AT&T WiFi hot spots for non-subscribers run $7.99 per day.
> >> But iPhone users are left out of the fray, despite the fact that the
> >> device
> >> supports both EDGE and WiFi. It appears AT&T wants to de-emphasize the
> >> WiFi
> >> aspect (even though Apple CEO Steve Jobs emphasized the WiFi solution when
> >> asked about the drawback of supporting the slower EDGE network) given the
> >> fact that the carrier has disabled the WiFi capability in a host of other
> >> devices. The view of most carriers is that WiFi will cannibalize their
> >> mobile businesses.
> >
> >I think this will come back and bite ATT in the butt. ATT won't do
> >anything, but if Apple gets enough complaints, they'll get ATT to do the
> >right thing.
> >This is why it's so great to have Apple as a player - they have the
> >clout.
>
>
> I've seen nothing other than your post to say that dsl subscribers
> with iPhone couldnt use AT&T wifi .

???

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karlkrandall DeleteThis @sbcglobal.net wrote:
> I've seen nothing other than your post to say that dsl subscribers
> with iPhone couldnt use AT&T wifi .

What the article say is:

Premium DSL subscribers get free hotspot access.
Non-premium DSL subscribers can get $1.99/mo hotspot access.
iPhone users can't get theses rates, but see below...

On s side note, AT&T non-DSL dialup subscribers and get it for $19.95/mo.

AT&T offers unlimited hotspot access for %59 or $79 per month (I forget off
hand what the rate is) - I presume that would be what iPhone users would
need. And THAT is why iPhone users may feel left out if they don't have
any AT&T internet service...although I suppose they could still get dial-up
for $20 or so a month (and add the $19.95 hotspot option) even when not in
an AT&T service area (assuming they use a credit card to pay and not have
it billed to their non-AT&T land line number)