AT&T free WiFi hotspot access is for BlackBerry as well as iPhone users

AT&T have released full details about their free WiFi scheme, which as we already knew offers Apple iPhone and iPhone 3G users access to in excess of 17,000 hotspots.  The carrier hasn't just limited their promotion to one type of fruit, however; select BlackBerry owners will also get free access too.

The scheme includes hotspots at Starbucks, Barnes & Noble and other locations.  As well as individual customers, those with AT&T small business broadband plans, AT&T U-verse High Speed Internet plans and with qualified AT&T LaptopConnect plans will also enjoy the access. 

BlackBerry users will need to have either a BlackBerry Bold, the BlackBerry Pearl 8120 or the BlackBerry 8820 to qualify for the free WiFi offer.  AT&T say they will roll out the scheme to further devices at a later date, but have not been more specific.  I imagine there are plenty of Windows Mobile smartphone users wondering when – or if – they'll get a share of the access.

Press Release:

AT&T iPHONE CUSTOMERS TO RECEIVE FREE ACCESS TO NATION'S LARGEST WI-FI NETWORK

DALLAS, Oct. 30, 2008 —There are now 17,000 more reasons for smart shoppers to buy a smartphone from AT&T. AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) today announced it will begin offering free AT&T Wi-FiSM service to current and new iPhone 3G and iPhone customers. AT&T has the nation's largest Wi-Fi network, with more than 17,000 hot spots including Starbucks, Barnes & Noble, and thousands of other locations.

AT&T plans to make the offer available to more mobile devices in the future. Additional details, including instructions on how to access the hot spots, are available at www.attwifi.com.

"AT&T is committed to providing its customers with the best connectivity at the best value," said David Christopher, chief marketing officer of AT&T's mobility business unit. "We have the industry's leading lineup of smartphones, along with the nation's largest Wi-Fi network. It only makes sense for us to bring these unique capabilities together for our customers."

Free Wi-Fi access is also available with all AT&T small business broadband plans, AT&T

U-verseSM High Speed Internet plans and with qualified AT&T LaptopConnect plans. For customers without an AT&T broadband or smartphone plan, Wi-Fi subscriptions are available for $19.99 a month, providing worldwide access to both AT&T and partner locations.

+ + +

AT&T BLACKBERRY CUSTOMERS TO RECEIVE FREE ACCESS TO NATION'S LARGEST WI-FI NETWORK

DALLAS, Oct. 30, 2008 —There are now 17,000 more reasons for smart shoppers to buy a smartphone from AT&T. AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) today announced it will begin offering free AT&T Wi-FiSM service to current and new customers of select smartphones, including the new BlackBerry® BoldTM, available Nov. 4. AT&T has the nation's largest Wi-Fi network, with more than 17,000 hot spots including Starbucks, Barnes & Noble, and thousands of other locations.

AT&T is offering the free Wi-Fi service to customers with unlimited data plans. In addition to the BlackBerry Bold, the BlackBerry® PearlTM 8120 and the BlackBerry® 8820 will follow later this year, and AT&T plans to make the offer available to more mobile devices in the future. Additional details, including instructions on how to access the hot spots, are available at www.attwifi.com.

"AT&T is committed to providing its customers with the best connectivity at the best value," said David Christopher, chief marketing officer of AT&T's mobility business unit. "We have the industry's leading lineup of smartphones, along with the nation's largest Wi-Fi network. It only makes sense for us to bring these unique capabilities together for our customers."

Free Wi-Fi access is also available with all AT&T small business broadband plans, AT&T

U-verseSM High Speed Internet plans and with qualified AT&T LaptopConnect plans. For customers without an AT&T broadband or smartphone plan, Wi-Fi subscriptions are available for $19.99 a month, providing worldwide access to both AT&T and partner locations.