Starbucks and T-Mobile launch Wi-Fi hotspots Once Again

August 2002 -- T-Mobile, the Deutsche Telekom wireless operation that includes VoiceStream, has relaunched the network of hotspots it acquired from MobiStar in Starbucks coffee shops throughout the US and in London and Berlin. Subscribers to the T-Mobile Hotspot network will be able to visit Starbuck's outlets and access high speed internet services from an 802.11b-enabled notebook or PDA. T-Mobile is working with Hewlett Packard as the equipment partner, offering special pricing on a range of 802.11b modem cards and devices. Hotspots are available in 1200 locations throughout the US, with a further 800 planned by the end of the year. Pilot schemes in London and Berlin are being expanded throughout Europe. Established telecom operators have been looking to offer 802.11b as a value-added service, with mobile operators examining ways in which to integrate the hotspots with wide area packet-data technologies such as GPRS. 

For more information: www.tmobile.com

MobileInfo Comments and Advisory:  T-Mobile should find this pilot effort very worthwhile because we are bullish about the hybrid nature of future networks.