# Wi-Fi in UK - Who pays? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 13, 2003, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wi-fi-in-uk-who-pays/194917 "2003-08-13T14:46:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![flapcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@flapcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flapcats)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2003, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wi-fi-in-uk-who-pays/194917/1 "2003-08-13T14:46:18Z")
I’ve not seen a price anywhere - does that mean that in London, for example Starbucks in Bishopsgate is offering free, high speed internet access for all with a Wi-Fi card? Who pays? Is is all in coffee-revenue? What about people who can access it from outside the premises on their PDA’s? Is that even possible or do you have to have a log-in and password? ---
**Author:** ![gazpacho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/6f9a4e/32.png) [@gazpacho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gazpacho)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2003, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wi-fi-in-uk-who-pays/194917/2 "2003-08-13T14:58:27Z")
From this old press release it looks like you have to subscribe with a partner of Starbucks, T-Mobile International AG. I beleive that T mobile is there partner in the states also. The press release says they will operate pretty much like they do in the states with either a monthly subscription subscription or per session fee. I have looked into this a little in the states and I did not notice a per session option in the literature. > **[IT news, careers, business technology, reviews](https://www.computerworld.com/mobiletopics/mobile/story/0,10801,78822,00.html)** > > Computerworld covers a range of technology topics, with a focus on these core areas of IT: Windows, Mobile, Apple/enterprise, Office and productivity suites, collaboration, web browsers and blockchain, as well as relevant information about companies... ---
**Author:** ![ShetlandPony](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4bbf92/32.png) [@ShetlandPony](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShetlandPony)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2003, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wi-fi-in-uk-who-pays/194917/3 "2003-08-13T19:13:55Z")
Hi I’ve used the WiFi ( BTW terrible name) at Gatwick airport. I bought time form British Telecom - either by credit card on line or by scratch card from the hotel. T-Mobile are Starbucks partner in the US - I think they have a subscription service pony