By Saabira Chaudhuri Starbucks Corp. (SBUX) on Wednesday said it will partner with Google Inc. (GOOG) starting next month to provide free wireless in-store Internet service that the coffee-giant says will be 10 times faster.
Starbucks currently offers free Wi-Fi through AT&T Inc. (T).
Beginning in August, new U.S. company-operated Starbucks stores will begin to receive the faster network and Wi-Fi speeds.
Over the next 18 months, Starbucks will convert more than 7,000 U.S. stores to the upgraded store network and Wi-Fi experience. A company representative said Starbucks will continue to work with AT&T during the transition period.
Starbucks and Google will work with Level 3 Communications Inc. (LVLT) on the project. Level 3 will upgrade existing Wi-Fi devices and will manage in-store connectivity.
In addition to the faster Wi-Fi collaboration, Starbucks also said it will work with Google to co-develop a next-generation Starbucks Digital Network.
The Seattle-based company has made Wi-Fi free at its stores since July 2010, eliminating a previous fee of $3.99 for two hours of access.
Google has been making moves in the wireless-Internet space, as connecting more people to the Web world-wide creates more potential users of its Web-search engine and other services such as YouTube and its Google Play media and app store. More Internet users, in turn, would drive online advertising on many of Google's services, while also allowing for more targeted promotions.
The search giant has deployed its own fiber-optic cables to wire up homes in cities in Kansas with high-speed Internet and video, and it has plans to do the same in cities such as Missouri, Texas and Utah. Google also plans to launch powerful Wi-Fi networks in those markets that piggyback on its wired network, allowing anyone to use their mobile device to access the Web while they are in public spaces.
The Mountain View, Calif., company also is in the midst of a multipronged effort to build and help run wireless networks in emerging markets as part of a plan to connect a billion or more new people to the Internet.
Starbucks's shares rose 33 cents to $72.26 in recent trading. Meanwhile, shares of AT&T were up 13 cents to $35.55, while those of Google were up $2.27 at $893.19.
Write to Saabira Chaudhuri at [email protected]
Starbucks currently offers free Wi-Fi through AT&T Inc. (T).
Beginning in August, new U.S. company-operated Starbucks stores will begin to receive the faster network and Wi-Fi speeds.
Over the next 18 months, Starbucks will convert more than 7,000 U.S. stores to the upgraded store network and Wi-Fi experience. A company representative said Starbucks will continue to work with AT&T during the transition period.
Starbucks and Google will work with Level 3 Communications Inc. (LVLT) on the project. Level 3 will upgrade existing Wi-Fi devices and will manage in-store connectivity.
In addition to the faster Wi-Fi collaboration, Starbucks also said it will work with Google to co-develop a next-generation Starbucks Digital Network.
The Seattle-based company has made Wi-Fi free at its stores since July 2010, eliminating a previous fee of $3.99 for two hours of access.
Google has been making moves in the wireless-Internet space, as connecting more people to the Web world-wide creates more potential users of its Web-search engine and other services such as YouTube and its Google Play media and app store. More Internet users, in turn, would drive online advertising on many of Google's services, while also allowing for more targeted promotions.
The search giant has deployed its own fiber-optic cables to wire up homes in cities in Kansas with high-speed Internet and video, and it has plans to do the same in cities such as Missouri, Texas and Utah. Google also plans to launch powerful Wi-Fi networks in those markets that piggyback on its wired network, allowing anyone to use their mobile device to access the Web while they are in public spaces.
The Mountain View, Calif., company also is in the midst of a multipronged effort to build and help run wireless networks in emerging markets as part of a plan to connect a billion or more new people to the Internet.
Starbucks's shares rose 33 cents to $72.26 in recent trading. Meanwhile, shares of AT&T were up 13 cents to $35.55, while those of Google were up $2.27 at $893.19.
Write to Saabira Chaudhuri at [email protected]