Wireless Observer wireless technology observer

In the press release for the Blackberry 8820, the first cell plus Wi-Fi model of the handheld communicator, AT&T mentions the existence of hotspot networks. “Individual customers can use it in their homes and, for an additional charge, at thousands of Wi-Fi locations* throughout the U.S., including any of the 10,000 AT&T-owned or branded hot spot locations in the U.S. Users can also take advantage of tens of thousands of hot spots around the globe through such services as AT&T Wi-Fi roaming.” Not bad, isn't it? Well that asterisk refers to this statement: “Access charges from individual Wi-Fi hot spot operators may apply.” And if you read through the pricing listed in the release, there’s no mention of anything to do with AT&T and Wi-Fi. AT&T’s 10,000 hotspots are 8,000-plus McDonald’s and a handful of other locations, including Barnes and Noble, a few hotels, a few airports, and a small coffeeshop chain.