McDonald’s to Roll Out Free Wi-Fi

Good news for iPhone users and business travelers. In January 2010, McDonald’s will start offering free Wi-Fi service in 11,000 locations in the U.S. and Canada. Joining chains like Starbucks, Borders and Barnes and Nobles in removing all charges for access, no purchase will be required. The McDonald’s network, run by AT&T for the last 5 years, will be one of the biggest free Wi-Fi networks in the world. Any restaurants or cafes still trying to charge customers to check email and surf the net on smartphones, netbooks and laptops via Wi-Fi will have a hard time of it.

The McDonalds chain’s network previously offered service from Wayport, a company later bought by AT&T. The service typically has coverage out into the parking lot, so drive through customers (or non-customers) can also benefit. The network, in addition to providing customer Internet access, also runs the store credit card terminals.

On the plus side, these McDonald’s are everywhere, so you’ll never be far from access if you’ve got a Wi-Fi enabled internet device. On the downside, noisy kids and that greasy French fry smell get old pretty quick. Best practice- go for the drive though option (parking lot).

McDonalds currently charges $2.95 for two hours for customers to hook up Wi-Fi, but the deal with AT&T, whose terms were not disclosed, removes the fee. The move comes as the restaurant chain is looking to ramp up sales of it’s McCafe beverages, whose choices are slated to expand to smoothies and frappes in 2010.