Is AT&T The Next VoWiFi and Mobile VoIP Player?

Thanks for returning. You're a very smart person.

It’s not me…it’s you.

According to Wi-Fi Networking News, Starbucks is dumping it’s partner of seven years, T-Mobile, for new beau AT&T. Under the terms of the new deal, Starbucks customers will be able to use two hours of free Wi-Fi access per day (with a Starbucks card). Not only is this a great deal for those who prefer to the quaint setting of their local Starbucks to a cubicle, but it also has some possible implications in the VoWiFi and Mobile VoIP industries.

AT&T has the CallVantage VoIP service. AT&T offers DSL service. AT&T has the iPhone. AT&T has a huge cellular network. The last remaining piece to becoming a muti-headed voice communications monster is to increase their Wi-Fi footprint. That has all the makings of a strong offering in the VoWiFi, mobile VoIP and fixed mobile convergence space. It isn’t a pipe dream either, given that it has been hinted at and rumored that an “official”  iPhone VoIP application.

With AT&T already suppling Wi-Fi for McDonald’s (8,000) locations and with this new deal will supply 17,000 Starbucks. While this is still a small footprint in the grand scheme of things, AT&T has all of the pieces in place to offer some incredibly attractive and feature rich offerings to the business and residential consumer alike. Should be interesting to see how all of this develops.