AT&T Opens Wi-Fi Hotspots to iPhones: This Time for Sure

AT&T has announced this twice (1, 2) before, but I think this time it will stick. AT&T announced today that they are now offering free wi-fi access to iPhone users at their hotspots across the U.S.

In fact, the text of their announcement is very similar (nearly identical) to the leaks that occurred previously:

AT&T knows Wi-Fi is hot, and FREE Wi-Fi is even hotter. Which is why FREE AT&T Wi-Fi access is now available for Apple iPhone at thousands of hotspots nationwide, including Starbucks*. Users can relax and access music, email and web browsing services with their favorite blend in hand from the comfort of their nearest location. For information visit www.att.com/attwifi.

Yes, we've heard this all before, AT&T. But it will stick this time. How do I know? I received a text message from AT&T telling me about it (as shown). That's gotta mean something!

You can locate Wi-Fi spots through AT&T's online tool or you can locate a Starbucks here. In order to access AT&T Wi-Fi from your iPhone, you must follow these steps:

• Activate Wi-Fi from the settings icon on your iPhone
• Select "attwifi" from the list of available networks
• Enter your 10-digit mobile number and check the box to agree to the Acceptable Use Policy. Tap 'continue'
• You will receive a text message from AT&T with a secure link to the AT&T Wi-Fi hotspot. You will not be charged for the text message.
• The SMS link will only be valid for 24 hours at the location it was requested. Another request must be submitted when using another hotspot location.
• Open the text message and tap on the link for 24-hour access to the AT&T Wi-Fi hotspot

And that's how they got around the issue of people changing their browser's user-agent so they could access wi-fi for free at Starbucks, even without an iPhone (as long as they had a valid phone number). Clever.

Now let's see if someone figures a way around it.