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Tue, Mar 16, 2010 - 04:54 AM EDT — AAPL: 223.84 (-2.76, -1.22%) | NASDAQ: 2362.21 (-5.45, -0.23%)

AT&T Wi-Fi supports auto-authentication on iPhone OS 3.0 for faster hot spot connections

Wednesday, June 17, 2009 - 03:22 PM EDT

AT&T today announced it will support auto-authentication for iPhone OS 3.0 users connecting to AT&T Wi-Fi Hot Spots. Auto-authentication allows iPhone users to seamlessly switch from AT&T’s 3G network to an AT&T Wi-Fi Hot Spot without being prompted.

AT&T customers with qualifying iPhone data plans have unlimited access to the nation’s largest Wi-Fi network — more than 20,000 U.S. AT&T Wi-Fi Hot Spots.

The new process eliminates the previous two-step authentication, making it easier and faster for iPhone customers to connect to AT&T Wi-Fi. Auto-connect is established once a customer connects their iPhone to an AT&T Wi-Fi Hot Spot the first time.

The addition of auto-authentication for iPhone users comes at a time when Wi-Fi usage continues to experience rapid growth, driven by the proliferation of Wi-Fi enabled devices. More than 4 million connections were made at AT&T’s U.S. Hot Spots with smartphones, including the iPhone 3G, in the first quarter of 2009 alone.

AT&T is a leading provider of Wi-Fi enabled smartphones, and includes Wi-Fi access at no extra charge with qualifying AT&T High Speed Internet plans, 3G LaptopConnect plans and select smartphone plans.

“Auto-authentication makes it even easier for iPhone customers to stay connected on the nation’s fastest 3G network and the nation’s largest Wi-Fi network,” said Ralph de la Vega, president and CEO, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets, in the press release. “With access to our U.S. hotspots, customers are receiving a great value, with a fast, reliable broadband connection virtually anywhere, through 3G or Wi-Fi.”

The new auto-authentication process is available starting today to all existing iPhone and iPhone 3G customers who download the free iPhone OS 3.0 software update via iTunes. It will also be available to all iPhone 3G S customers once that product goes on sale on June 19. Meanwhile, all iPhone customers can continue to get AT&T Wi-Fi access with the current authentication process.

AT&T’s Wi-Fi network complements its wired broadband and wireless 3G networks with Wi-Fi hotspots including retail stores, restaurants and airports from coast-to-coast.

For more information about AT&T Wi-Fi Hot Spots, visit www.attwifi.com.

Note: Complimentary Wi-Fi access available to AT&T iPhone customers with qualifying data plans.

Source: AT&T

MacDailyNews Take: Gee, that's nice, you lousy cork-soakers. Now turn on the somanumbatching MMS and official tethering, you fargin iceholes!

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Jun 17, 09 - 03:30 pm Comment from: Maconymous

I'm at a starbucks right now and that's the first thing I noticed! Woohoo!

Jun 17, 09 - 03:46 pm Comment from: Tommy Boy

Please to explain: "qualifying data plans".

Is that all data plans (meaning non-GoPhone IPhone customers) or just people with the Bill-Curtis-is-the-fastest super expensive modem plan?

Jun 17, 09 - 03:56 pm Comment from: Mac Daddy

I was actually quite pleased when ATT turned on all their hotspots for iPhone, for no extra charge. Every Starbucks is now a free hotspot, which is pretty convenient.

Tethering - meh. At least not for what I expect it to cost. The little survey up there in the left margin says "Yes, if it's not more than $60/month." $60? Farg that.

Jun 17, 09 - 04:06 pm Comment from: Anthony007

I hope it works better than before. I was recently at hotel and had to reconnect like 6 times in one day to the stupid ATT wayport

Jun 17, 09 - 04:08 pm Comment from: Shieldzee

My mother shot me once. Once.

Jun 17, 09 - 04:39 pm Comment from: kalel666

I wonder if this works for iTouch users as well? I subscribe to AT&T;Uverse, which includes free wifi at all AT&T;hotspots, too. I'll have to give it a try.

Jun 17, 09 - 04:39 pm Comment from: thethirdshoe

That SNL sketch with Janet Jackson is great. She stumbles over saying "cork-soakers". Sometime we soak each others corks! Badddd.

Jun 17, 09 - 04:43 pm Comment from: qka

Hey, at least they're cork soakers.

Our IT head is a former cork stuffer. (True story!)

Jun 17, 09 - 04:43 pm Comment from: MacAdvocate

This WiFi goes through armor. And through the victim, through the wall of the Starbucks, through a tree outside...

Jun 17, 09 - 05:42 pm Comment from: Famous Grouse

Actually, this is quite nice; I'm sick of fiddling with Easy WiFi every time I want to get out of EDGE purgatory and onto WiFi. I think we should give AT&T;some credit here. The availability of wifi does help compensate for the lack or limitations of AT&Ts;3G coverage in many locations.

Jun 18, 09 - 12:33 am Comment from: treestman

I agree that ATT needs to get MMS and tethering ASAP (and don't charge me $60/month for the latter).

However, I give AT&T;tons of credit for the free WiFi they provide. I use it every day and think it's a huge value add.

Jun 18, 09 - 02:21 pm Comment from: Dotar Sojat

Nothing like a few Johnny Dangerously swear words to get the blood pumping.

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Tue, Mar 16, 2010 - 04:54 AM EDT — AAPL: 223.84 (-2.76, -1.22%) | NASDAQ: 2362.21 (-5.45, -0.23%)

AT&T Wi-Fi supports auto-authentication on iPhone OS 3.0 for faster hot spot connections

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Tue, Mar 16, 2010 - 04:54 AM EDT — AAPL: 223.84 (-2.76, -1.22%) | NASDAQ: 2362.21 (-5.45, -0.23%)

AT&T Wi-Fi supports auto-authentication on iPhone OS 3.0 for faster hot spot connections

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