Comments on: Will McDonalds force Starbucks to offer free wireless?

By: phil

phil — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 09:02:57 +0000

which mcdonalds offers free wifi — all the ones I know, they charge. did mcdonalds adopt a new policy?

By: More Mini Gadget Glyphs » Coolest Gadgets

More Mini Gadget Glyphs » Coolest Gadgets — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 13:30:01 +0000

[...] Will McDonalds force Starbucks to offer free wireless? [...]

By: jasonweaver

jasonweaver — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 00:22:41 +0000

At least in the US, Starbucks WiFi is provided by TMobile. Starbucks gets a commission payment on anyone who pays TMobile to access the service, so unless TMobile wants to take a hit, Starbucks doesn’t have much room to control their WiFi pricing. You can see in their new store layouts and their new coffees that McDonald’s is very interested in you hanging out there, instead of Starbucks.

By: Katy

Katy — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 22:03:02 +0000

Sounds good! Now, what about airports? grr…

By: cromag9

cromag9 — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 20:38:02 +0000

problem with this (in the U.S. at least) is two fold:
Mcdonald’s interiors are inherently uncomfortable with the fiberglass benches as flourescent lighting, this limits the time anyone will spend in there no mater how free the wi-fi is.
Starbucks are pleasant on the other hand, with some even having sofas and armchairs, this is gonna lead to students ditching the library to take up space in Starbucks all day.
Also, I would tend to think people too cheap to buy a monthly wi-fi plan are not very likely to spend $3.50 on a cup of coffee, when they can get a whole meal at mcd’s for the same price.

By: jeremysark

jeremysark — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 15:36:13 +0000

My favorite coffee shop has free wifi. I go in and buy the most expensive cup of coffee and sit in there all day. to bad for them they give free refills.

By: Henning

Henning — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 15:34:26 +0000

Here in Chile it is just vice-versa: Starbuckets has free and McDoof has paid WiFi….
Anyhow, I like more to spill my black coffe over the keyboard than drop some french fries with Ketchup and Mayonaise over the gadgets… ;o)

Cheers!