Filed under: Wireless, Odds and ends, Internet, iPhone
AT&T makes it easier for iPhone OS 3.0 users to use WiFi Hot Spots
Any customer using a qualified iPhone data plan has unlimited access to more than 20,000 AT&T WiFi Hot Spots. Previously, using the Hot Spots required a two-step authentication process that required receiving an SMS message. Now you connect your iPhone to the network at a Hot Spot one time, and the auto-connect capability is set up for you. From then on, all you need to do is walk into the Hot Spot, and you'll be automatically logged in
Update: As pointed out here and acknowledged here, AT&T is playing fast and loose with the word 'secure' in its marketing materials. The hotspot connection is not protected with WEP or WPA encryption, and there is nothing in the default setup to prevent other users in the same location from sniffing your packets as they fly by.
This is a big step in the direction that AT&T seemed to be taking when they started boldly moving into the WiFi Hot Spot market, in terms of making sure that AT&T customers can easily and seamlessly move between AT&T's wireless network and the WiFi Hot Spots. Most iPhone users can now walk into any McDonald's, Starbucks, or Barnes & Noble location and immediately take advantage of WiFi speeds and bandwidth.
For more information about the location of the Hot Spots and how to connect, visit the AT&T WiFi site here.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
tjnelsonjr said 11:04PM on 6-17-2009
With all this bad publicity lately. It really seems AT&T is grabbing for straws here.
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Steve said 11:38PM on 6-17-2009
Any chance you could tether from the iphone's hot-spot wifi connection?
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Michael said 11:55PM on 6-17-2009
This is what I would want to know. However, once the 3.0 jailbreak is out. It is back to iPhone Modem for me.
Maddy said 12:15AM on 6-18-2009
This is a big step in the direction that AT&T seemed to be taking when they started boldly moving into the WiFi Hot Spot market, in terms of making sure that AT&T customers can easily and seamlessly move between AT&T's wireless network and the WiFi Hot Spots.
Reply
Alex said 1:03AM on 6-18-2009
is there an echo in here?
Martin said 3:13AM on 6-18-2009
Do people with iPhones have free AT&T WiFi access for their laptops and other devices as well? Or just their phones?
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Galley said 7:35AM on 6-18-2009
I believe all AT&T DSL customers do.
Morgan said 6:07AM on 6-18-2009
It's like AT&T are in their own little world. We've been doing this in the UK since 2007.
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Kendall Tawes said 1:18AM on 6-20-2009
Actually they have been doing it since at least 2008 in the US too. I know I have used my iPhone in Starbucks for free at least once in 2008. Mind you I don't visit Starbucks locations too often as there are much better coffee shops around here that have better coffee and free Wifi to all who use it.
Dale said 7:56AM on 6-18-2009
I think this is AT&T's way to move traffic off the 3G network and onto an alternative connection. This will releive some of the strain on the 3G network. Just my guess!
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Justin said 10:04AM on 6-18-2009
Guess I can delete Easy Wi-Fi now.
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Kai Cherry said 7:40PM on 6-18-2009
Still testing this out...but it needs a bit of work. It is VERY aggressive about idle time and since you need to be auth'd first, I found it kicking me off before I could get my link that they send via SMS to let me log on.
I tried this outside a McClown's earlier today and there seemed to be a fight going one between att and wayport, who at the location I was trying it seem to be the actual provider for the service.
-K
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Todd Bradley said 12:59PM on 6-21-2009
This is pretty cool. I just noticed it this morning when I went to the bus stop by McD and my iPhone suddenly went from 3G to wifi automatically.
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Jamie Phelps said 11:19PM on 6-25-2009
I'm really tired of AT&T claiming (and other outfits like TUAW buying said claims) that their hotspots are secure. Maybe some portion of the connection is secure, but if the network connection between your device and the wireless access point isn't encrypted, your access on the network is not secure. If you're not convinced, read AT&T's own Security FAQ: https://secure.sbc.com/support/faq.adp
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