# What the deal with Starbuck's wi-fi internet? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 15, 2006, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-deal-with-starbucks-wi-fi-internet/340085 "2006-01-15T12:30:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2006, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-deal-with-starbucks-wi-fi-internet/340085/1 "2006-01-15T12:30:04Z")
In [this thread ,](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=354138) I asked if anyone here has used STARBUCK’s T-Mobile laptop internet access. Since I was hijacking someone else’s urgent question, I haven’t gottten many responses so I thought I’d open a separate thread. As I said there, I went into the Starbux across the street today and they gave me a brochure and a tiny CD, but I’d just as soon avoid a T-Mobile sales pitch–if anyone uses it, how much does Starbuck’s (or T-Mobile?) charge per month? Is it per minute? Per minute plus a monthly fee? A flat fee? (I’ll probably use the service about once or twice a month.) Can I have this charge added to my T-Mobile bill (I use them for cell phone service) or is it a whole separate deal? Does it work anywhere other than Starbux? ---
**Author:** ![Go\_You\_Big\_Red\_Fire\_Engine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/eada6e/32.png) [@Go\_You\_Big\_Red\_Fire\_Engine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Go_You_Big_Red_Fire_Engine)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2006, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-deal-with-starbucks-wi-fi-internet/340085/2 "2006-01-15T12:52:06Z")
[Google is your friend.](http://t-mobile.starbucks.com/pc/tmobile2.htm) ---
**Author:** ![charizard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/charizard/32/4166_2.png) [@charizard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/charizard)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2006, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-deal-with-starbucks-wi-fi-internet/340085/3 "2006-01-15T13:11:15Z")
There are quite a few other places where you can use the same TMobile hotspot subscription; Border’s Books, Kinkos, many hotels and airport lounges. I even see where they have a pretty large international presence now. [Check it out.](https://selfcare.hotspot.t-mobile.com/locations/viewGlobalLocationsForLocationDomain.do) ---
**Author:** ![pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2006, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-deal-with-starbucks-wi-fi-internet/340085/4 "2006-01-15T13:56:24Z")
Who in the world is in these places enough to justify a $40 monthly fee to access the internet while having coffee or buying books? Thanks, I’m waiting until I hit the lottery to sign up for this plan. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2006, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-deal-with-starbucks-wi-fi-internet/340085/5 "2006-01-15T15:16:52Z")
I was wondering about wi-fi at Starbuck’s as well, since I purchased a laptop with wi-fi a few months ago. When I was in NY recently, I instead used wi-fi at a couple of [Barnes and Noble](http://www.barnesandnobleinc.com/press_releases/2004_Wifi_Service.html) stores. It would appear to be a considerably cheaper option if you are not using the service very much. It’s $3.95 for 2 hours (which is the option I used to check my e-mail) and $19.95 for unlimited access for a month, which evidently includes other SBC Freedomlink sites. You probably won’t have as many possible access points, but it seems to be more economical. ---
**Author:** ![Cleophus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a88e57/32.png) [@Cleophus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cleophus)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2006, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-deal-with-starbucks-wi-fi-internet/340085/6 "2006-01-15T15:25:41Z")
There is a $6/hr pay as you go plan. ---
**Author:** ![Bambi\_Hassenpfeffer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Bambi\_Hassenpfeffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bambi_Hassenpfeffer)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2006, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-deal-with-starbucks-wi-fi-internet/340085/7 "2006-01-15T16:48:17Z")
> [@pseudotriton ruber ruber](#): > > Who in the world is in these places enough to justify a $40 monthly fee to access the internet while having coffee or buying books? Thanks, I’m waiting until I hit the lottery to sign up for this plan. That’s the free-standing price. It’s $19.99 to add it to your voice plan.