Free Wi-Fi Internet Connectivity From AT&T

AT&T, the largest US mobile operator, announced yesterday that it will offer free and unlimited access to its nationwide Wi-Fi network for more than 10 million broadband subscribers. The offer will be available from the beginning of 2009, to both new and existing customers who subscribe to any of the carrier's broadband services with speeds of 1.5 Mbps, 3.0 Mbps or 6.0 Mbps. The announcement comes to emphasize the company's intentions to boost the value of broadband by offering more methods for users to stay connected to everything they are interested in.

AT&T's Wi-Fi network is the largest of this kind from the US and includes more than 10,000 Wi-Fi hotspots, located all over the country in airports, restaurants, retail stores and other public places. Previously, only customers who subscribed for the premium broadband service (the 6.0 Mbps one) had free Wi-Fi Internet access, but now AT&T decided to offer free connectivity to the rest of its broadband subscribers too - a more than welcomed decision considering the fact that most of the customers use the 1.5 Mbps service.

"Consumers today expect and demand a premier broadband experience - including a consistent, reliable connection no matter where they are," said Rick Welday, Chief Marketing Officer, AT&T Consumer. "And that's exactly what we're focused on. Our priority is to keep our customers connected. Period. Extending our Wi-Fi network supports this effort - and doing so for free combines even greater value with greater connectivity."

Besides the free Wi-Fi access, AT&T will also introduce a new and even faster broadband service, capable of speeds up to 10 Mbps. The service will be available only to users who subscribe to U-verse, AT&T's Internet Protocol-based television service, and will cost $55 per month.