McDonald's to offer free wireless

[Iwillnevergiveup]

From L.A. Times, 12/20/09 Consumer Briefing

McDonald's Corp. said it would offer free wireless internet access at most of its U.S. fast-food restaurants as it tries to broaden its appeal.

The company has offered internet access for about 5 years. In mid-January, it will lift the $2.95 fee it has charged for 2 hours of internet access at 11,000 of its 14,000 U.S. locations. There will be no time limit after the fee is lifed.

"We don't mind at all if people step in, take advantage of the Wi-Fi and linger a bit," said Dave Grooms, chief information officer for McDonald's USA.

McDonald's is providing the wireless service through a partnership with AT&T Inc. The company declined to disclose the terms of the contract or how much it would spend on the change.

[Iwillnevergiveup]

1. This could be good news

for folks with no home internet access who have previously relied on public libraries.

[safeinOhio]

2. Not every city has a Starbucks

I use my Ipod touch to check email on the road. So, I'll buy a dollar menu item.

[Ruby the Liberal]

3. They will still need a device - phone with data plan/laptop/etc

[Fumesucker]

9. I don't have a data plan on my phone and it will access the net through wifi..

A Blackberry Pearl Flip, I downloaded a program into it a couple of days ago through wifi..

[endless october]

4. i admit that i love their food.

feel free to flame away.

as a skinny dude that used to be fat, i love mcdonalds like a kid loves chocolate cake.

[Iwillnevergiveup]

5. Their hot chocolate is awesome

BUT not all McD's have it, and you have to start sipping it before the whipped cream melts.:hi:

[HuckleB]

6. Where does McDonald's stand on HCR?

Just had to ask.

[MercutioATC]

7. They've done that for years here if you ordered food.

You got a code to access Wi-Fi with every order.

[ZombieHorde]

8. I like their hamburgers, but their chicken nuggets are not very tasty.

[notesdev]

10. Upscale goes downscale

As legions of former $5 latte drinkers realize they can't afford Starbucks, and can't afford to eat decently anymore, McDonalds seizes a gift business opportunity.

[Deja Q]

11. Of course they don't mind; they expect people to buy a McSlop "food" item while they are in

Most small businesses cannot afford that sort of internet perk.

But we're not a nation of small businesses and haven't. Not for 40-some years.

[safeinOhio]

12. I have found most local

non-corporate coffee houses have free wi-fi. When in a new town traveling, they are sometimes hard to locate.

[Lucian]

13. Ahhh...another reason for people to go to McD's and get their asses fatter.

Now, instead of sitting in there for only one meal, people can sit in there for hours surfing the web and eating many meals there.

Just what this country needed. :eyes:

[blogslut]

14. Good

I always thought their charging for access was foolish.

[dysfunctional press]

15. burger king already has it...

at least around here.

[petronius]

16. Great! I just hope our IT people have a good method for cleaning french fry

grease off my keyboard...

[Terra Alta]

17. just another hook to get people to buy their crappy food.

If I want free wi-fi I'll go to the locally owned coffee shop in my area. Great coffee, and the owner is really nice, too.