McDonald's launches San Francisco hot spots today (req. paid reg.): McDonald's revealed at the 802.11 Planet conference on June 27 their plans to expand into SF and Chicago, using two providers other than Cometa to perform a "bake off," as the McDonald's exec put it. Wayport customers and Boingo/iPass/GRIC subscribers will get free access with monthly subscription plans. $4.95 for two hours or free with Big Mac Extra Value Meal for a limited time. Locations of the first 55 stores (out of 75) in the SF area are at McDonald's wireless site. [via TechDirt]
I see more potential for McDonalds offering wi-fi in all their locations with parking lots, rather than just walk-in only locations. Not all business travellers have the luxury of traveling by plane and staying in big hotels. There are many who travel by car, day in day out, all year. I used to do that myself and McDonalds was always the place you could find a public bathroom and a drive-through meal because you had to keep moving. I can see these "road warriors" parked in the parking lot of McDonalds, eating a quick meal and using their laptop to communicate with the home office and customers.