I'm very glad you implemented this.  It frustrated me to always have to pay for wi-fi at your stores.  I like to go to sbux for the ambience and quality but often found myself going to a lesser place because they had free wi-fi.  The 2 hours per day is a good start, when the economy improves, you should go to free wi-fi.

Why should I go to Starbucks and take these extra steps to get "free wifi" when I can go elsewhere and not go through the hassle? This is the epitome of corporate back-scratching and presents very poorly to the customer.   I am not an At&T customer. I am NOT willing o receive AT&T marketing.  I do NOT want to carry around another card or wait until it is active for a period of time in order to access your so-called service.  Forcing your customers to go through so many steps to receive "free wifi" is a disservice to Starbucks and a disservice to your customers.  I posted on your comments section about free wifi.  I hope you read some of the comments-they can be instructive about your clientele.  I truly believe Starbucks has an excellent product and try to purchase when it is convenient for me. When I have business or friends, etc. I frequently use online access in our discussions; lack of wifi access is NOT convenient.  This essentially forces me to go elsewhere.  I believe that across the country, Starbucks loses thousands in each state because of the lack of free internet connection to folks like me.  If "internet rent" is necessary, then go for a system like Caribou Coffee who provides a code good for one hour of WIFI (set up will cost you much more though).  Don't be like the car manufacturers--look at other stores' set-ups. WIFI is very cheap. This idea will pay for itself and quickly increase sales per store as th word spreads to your customers. Stocks will increase and you will be a hero to the corporate headquarters and the customers.  Be our hero!  

I think that starbucks should just give wi-fi to all costumers. You can go to all kinds of places to get free wi-fi. Why can't starbucks be one of those places?

I tend to agree with the other comments.  Starbucks should have been inclined to allow free wi-fi from the beginning.  People are already paying for drinks.  And, if people are staying in the stores long enough to make use of wi-fi they are likely paying for a re-fill or something else.  Starbucks should be able to make money by offering free wi-fi.  Even Burger King is offering that.  And remember history, McDonalds started out as just a drive up kind of place.  They didn't want people hanging around until they realized that people eating in its stores meant they could sell more.  

Alright. I guess you can say you've listened to your customers and are providing free wifi. Well, it's still not as free as my favorite coffee house (not Starbucks). Your wifi requires yet two more internet accounts with IDs and passwords to remember. AND we get AT&T marketing. So, here's what I have to do at my regular coffee house (not Starbucks). When I order my coffee I ask the cashier, "what's the password today?", and I'm in. Pretty easy don't you think?

Your current WiFi simplication doesn't go far enough. It's still a hassle. Peet's has the right model: buy a drink, get a receipt with a code that gives you two hours free. Simple for the customers, yet discourages people from squatting all day without paying anything.

Starbucks does not provide free wifi access in their stores!

"*Free Wi-Fi is limited to one session of up to two hours per day.  You must have a registered Starbucks Card that has been used within the 30 days prior to access; open a free account with At&T; and agree to receive limited AT&T marketing.  Conditions do not apply to eligible AT&T customers.  For more information,  go to www.Starbucks.com/wifi.  Offer good only at participating U.S. stores, and subject to change." IS NOT FREE WIFI!