Starbucks informed me that it, AT&T, and T-Mobile have signed a memorandum of understanding about the free Wi-Fi kerfuffle: T-Mobile filed a lawsuit a few days ago against Starbucks stating it wasn’t involved in discussions about its network carrying free loyalty-awarded Wi-Fi via AT&T’s authentication system. Now the three companies are apparently making nice.
The statement from Starbucks reads: “T-Mobile, AT&T and Starbucks have entered into a memorandum of understanding to resolve their disputes and are committed to providing a high quality WiFi experience for customers, including Starbucks Rewards Customers, at Starbucks locations nationwide.”
My interpretation is Starbucks said, oops, our bad, and they’re figuring out the dollars and cents. Sometimes companies move too rapidly. T-Mobile is a quasi-jilted suitor, although they get something out of AT&T transition, too, so they’re not likely to cut any slack.
Reuters confirms that AT&T confirms the statement. I separately confirmed with T-Mobile that the statement is accurate as well.
Starbucks, AT&T Brick Loyalty Card Service Launch
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