Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Newest Free Wi-Fi Hangout: FedEx Office

FedEx Office, the chain of copy, print, and shipping stores which was previously FedEx Kinko's, said today that it has begun offering free, unlimited Wi-Fi at most of its U.S. locations. According to FedEx Office, AT&T will be providing free wireless access in 1,000 of its FedEx Office Print & Ship Center locations in the U.S., with rollout to all of the firm's U.S. locations to be completed by the end of the month. FedEx Office had previously charged users for computer rental and Internet access, including charges for Wi-Fi. The company said the move will "help busy professionals connect to the Internet" saying that its location are "conducive to working on the go." Although FedEx Office does not offer the ambiance or coffee of chains like Starbucks, the firm appears to be targeting the same, mobile professionals, who also overlap with the firm's business support services. A quick spot check of AT&T's coverage map shows that most of the FedEx Office locations in Southern California--including Los Angeles--were not yet listed as supported by AT&T, although a number of locations in San Diego and Riverside County were listed.

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