McDonald's to Offer Free WiFi Starting 2010

By Marcus Yam
published

I'm loving it.

If you're like me, sitting inside McDonald's, happily enjoying my Happy Meal, but wishing that I'd have some free WiFi to go along with my fries, then you'll be happy at today's announcement.

McDonald's will be offering free WiFi starting in January at all of its U.S. locations that are outfitted for wireless internet access.

"We're not just about hamburgers," said Dave Grooms, chief information officer for McDonald's, according to the AP. "We are about convenience and all kinds of value."

"We want people to have a comfortable place to sit and check their e-mail and get on line," Grooms said. "We've become a destination for our beverages and our coffees, and Wi- Fi naturally fits with that."

McDonald's currently offers internet access through AT&T at 11,000 of its 14,000 U.S. locations at US$2.95 fee for two hours of service, according to Bloomberg.

For you road warriors looking for the next great WiFi hotspot, check out the golden arches starting in 2010.

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Marcus Yam
Marcus Yam
Marcus Yam served as Tom's Hardware News Director during 2008-2014. He entered tech media in the late 90s and fondly remembers the days when an overclocked Celeron 300A and Voodoo2 SLI comprised a gaming rig with the ultimate street cred.
56 Comments Comment from the forums
  • logitic
    I honestly can't remember the last time I actually ate inside of a McDonalds. I guess it is good for what ever location is next to said McyD's for the free Wi-Fi.
    Reply
  • 4ILY45
    Finally,KFC & Pizza Hut has done that for years..
    Reply
  • bout time.
    Reply
  • festerovic
    The McDs down the street has had free wifi for 5 years.

    There were no pr0n filters.
    Reply
  • eklipz330
    "We're not just about hamburgers," said Dave Grooms, chief information officer for McDonald's, according to the AP. "We are about getting you fatter then you already are."

    fixed
    Reply
  • mlopinto2k1
    Great, MORE internet traffic.
    Reply
  • mlopinto2k1
    This just in! Hyundai offering base model cars to all welfare recipients! :/
    Reply
  • jerther
    I want Tim Horton to do the same :)
    Reply
  • scooterlibby
    That's too bad. I'll be dead from eating McDonald's before the year is up. RIP me.
    Reply
  • jonpaul37
    Yeah, they call it "free" WiFi, but in all honesty, you'll be paying for it when you buy value meals, they'll just add a small percentage to each item on the menu.
    Reply