AT&T and Starbucks on Friday announced the beginning of the rollout of AT&T Wi-Fi service at company-operated Starbucks stores, kicking off a nationwide effort that will continue through 2008.

At that year’s AT&T stockholders meeting in San Antonio, Chairman and CEO Randall Stephenson announced that the companies have started deploying AT&T Wi-Fi at Starbucks locations in San Antonio.

As of May 1, qualifying AT&T high-speed World Wide Web and Wi-Fi customers will have complimentary Wi-Fi access at more than 7,000 Starbucks locations nationwide. For millions of AT&T customers, that means more speed in more places — for free — is on the way. Analysts said that gives the telecom giant an advantage by competitors like T-Mobile.

Catering to Wired Cappuccino Drinkers

Stephenson said AT&T is moving to strengthen its ability to meet the needs of mobile consumers virtually everywhere.

“Expanding our reach across company-operated Starbucks locations nationwide
helps us bridge the gap within our wired and wireless offerings

and affirms AT&T’s commitment to connect humans with their worlds, everywhere they live and work,” Stephenson said.

Qualifying AT&T subscribers will be able to choose “ATTWiFi” after powering up their mobile devices. Free AT&T Wi-Fi service is currently offered with AT&T’s three higher-speed residential broadband packages, all small business broadband packages, and all AT&T U-verse offerings with high-speed Net service.

For other customers, AT&T Wi-Fi will reach company-operated Starbucks locations all through the year. The experience will include a mix of free and paid connection options for both frequent and occasional Wi-Fi users and qualifying Starbucks customers. Once AT&T Wi-Fi service is available, customers will be able to shop and surf both Starbucks’ and AT&T’s Web pages for products and services.

“We continue to build on the experience we know our customers expect from us,” said Chris Bruzzo, chief technology officer for Starbucks. “By partnering with AT&T as our U.S. Wi-Fi provider we…

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