The first stores will have the service installed this week and the roll-out will be completed by the end of summer 2009. It will allow 4.6 million BT broadband customers plus BT Openzone users to email, surf the internet or make VoIP calls. O2 iPhone users will have access included within their contract, and millions of customers from iPass, Boingo and other BT Openzone roaming partners will also be able to use the service. Starbucks will use the network to support both its public customer hotspots and store operations systems.
"We are continually looking for new ways to develop our in-store offerings for our customers, and this new relationship with BT provides an enhanced customer experience," says Robert Teagle, EMEA IT director at Starbucks. "As we continue to develop our technology strategies this relationship will strengthen the Starbucks experience and amplify our stores as a must-go location for our customers."
