T-Mobile has relaunched the network of hotspots it acquired from MobiStar in Starbucks coffee shops throughout the US, as well as London and Berlin.
Subscribers to the T-Mobile Hotspot network will be able to visit Starbucks’ 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. T-Mobile, which acquired the hotspot network through its purchase of operator VoiceStream Wireless, claims it is the largest 802.11b network owned by a telecommunications operator. Established telecom operators have been looking to offer 802.11b as a value-added service, with mobile operators examing ways in which to integrate the hotspots with wide area packet-data technologies such as GPRS.
“This service is a natural extension of the Starbucks coffeehouse experience, which has always been about making connections with the people and information that are important to us over a cup of coffee,” said Howard Schultz, Starbucks chairman and chief global strategist. “Mobile professionals across the globe have been waiting for just such an offering: high-speed wireless internet access in a familiar and widely available location that keeps them connected while on the road, or between the home and office. It’s the right service offered in the right environment.” John Stanton, Chairman, T-Mobile, U.S. Operations, added: “T-Mobile Hotspot service demonstrates how T-Mobile is using its leadership position in wireless data to deliver on its ‘Get More’ promise to customers, enabling them to use the most current innovations in wireless services to get more from life. Our relationship with Starbucks and HP demonstrates T-Mobile’s commitment to deliver on the promise of fast, reliable, and convenient wireless internet access.”