SBC Communications announced commercial partnerships with Avis Rent A Car and with Barnes & Noble that will broaden the reach of its Wi-Fi network across the U.S. Under the first deal, the SBC FreedomLink Wi-Fi service will be made available in up to 88 Avis locations at major airports throughout the nation by early 2005. It will also be available in Avis business centers in major airports. Separately, Barnes & Noble announced that SBC FreedomLink Wi-Fi service is now available at more than 600 of its bookstores nationwide.
SBC's FreedomLink Wi-Fi service is also available in select McDonald's restaurants, The UPS Store and Mail Boxes Etc. locations, Caribou Coffee shops, airports, hotels, convention centers, restaurants, state parks, rest stops and welcome centers -- currently more than 5,000 locations throughout the U.S. By the end of 2006, the SBC FreedomLink service is expected to be available in more than 20,000 locations. Customers can view a list of FreedomLink locations by visiting . http://www.sbc.com/freedomlink
- SBC's FreedomLink memberships are available for $19.95 a month and provide unlimited access to all SBC Wi-Fi hot spots and discounted rates in roaming locations. Daily rates start at $7.95. SBC DSL customers are able to use the service at no charge until April 15, 2005. After this introductory period, the price will be $1.99 a month with a one-year term commitment for customers who choose to sign up for the service.
